Tenancy Strategy

The Localism Act 2011 introduced the concept of 'flexible tenancies' into the social housing sector. The Act gives providers of social housing the option to offer flexible tenancies to new social tenants. A flexible tenancy is a secure tenancy of a fixed term (not less than two years), rather than a lifetime tenancy, where the tenant may remain in the property for life, even if their circumstances change and they no longer need it.

By law, the council has to publish a Tenancy Strategy, a copy of the strategy can be downloaded below. The strategy provides direction and guidance to registered providers who own and manage housing stock in the borough - housing stock which excludes all accommodation based support housing, but includes sheltered housing. Registered providers offer fixed term tenancies at their discretion and have their own tenancy strategies to follow. The council's strategy is designed to be additional guidance for registered providers as we work together to deliver appropriate social housing tenancies. It informs residents what they might expect when they move into or between social housing properties in relation to their period of tenure.

We undertook a light touch review into the Tenancy Strategy alongside our current Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2023 to 2027 and previous Housing and Homelessness Strategy.