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 sets out the matters to which all registered providers of social housing should have in formulating their own tenancy policies.

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. It sets out the council's expectations with regard to lifetime and fixed term tenancies. It informs residents what they might expect when they move into or between social housing properties in relation to their period of tenure. It sets out the criteria to which registered providers must have particular regard in relation to lifetime tenancies, fixed term tenancies and individual tenant reviews.

We undertook a light touch review into the Tenancy Strategy alongside the Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2020 to 2024 and will conduct a full review alongside the next Housing and Homelessness Strategy.

Download a copy to find out the council's approach to fixed term tenancies and the guidance for registered providers.