3. Tenancy Standard
3.1 Allocations
“We let housing in a fair, transparent and
appropriate way, taking into account the diverse needs of tenants
to contribute to sustainable neighbourhoods and community
cohesion.”
The council and all partnering housing
associations in Thanet are part of Homechoice, Choice Based
Lettings scheme, which has a clear application, decision making and
appeals process.
We have a register of homes suitable for
households with mobility needs, and advertise them accordingly.
Applicants are assessed according to their mobility need so we
achieve best use of our stock to meet the needs of our
applicants.
Current tenants have the opportunity to move
to another property using the mutual exchange register. Prior to
allocation the Estate Management team carries out a risk assessment
at allocation stage to try to ensure sustainable communities and
appropriate placing of tenants.
Thanet Tenants and Leaseholder Forum as part
of a wider consultation are currently involved in reviewing Thanet
District Council’s Lettings Policy.
To reduce under occupation and overcrowding,
we operate a downsizing incentive scheme. The scheme offers
tenants who downsize from family accommodation to non-family
accommodation a payment of £1,000. In 2009/2010 6 tenants
moved and claimed their downsizing payment. As part of the
lettings policy review this incentive payment is currently under
review.
In 2009/2010 each property took an average of
21 days to re-let (target 26 Days) compared to 28 days in
2008/9.
Housing applications and lettings in 2009/10
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Transfer applicants on the housing
register
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994
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Total number of applicants on the housing
register
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4898
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Total new applicants joining the housing
register in 2009/10
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201
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Lets of council homes to TDC transfer
applicants in 2009/10
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43
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Lets of council homes to other applicants in
2009/10
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1
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Total lettings of council homes in 2009/10
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248
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What you have told us
We regularly ask you how satisfied you are
with various parts of the service. This is what you have told us
about allocations:
Status Survey 2009
- 36% of those who participated had been a tenant of Thanet
District Council fo over 21 years.
- 37% of those who participated had one person living in their
home and 9% had more that five people living in their home.
Your priorities and aspirations
Local conversations, Tenant Groups and surveys
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Allocations
Improvement Plan
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- We will consult our tenants about implementing local letting
plans as part of the process to agree local offers.
- We will ensure current tenants are involved in the review of
our lettings policy.
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3.2 Rents
The rents part of the TSA’s Tenancy standard
does not apply to councils. Our rents are set according to
government rules.
Our performance in 2009/2010
We collected 99% of rent this year compared to
97% in 2008/09
Out of 3044 Current tenants 959 have rent
arrears amounting to £317,481.44 as of March 2010.
What you have told us
We regularly ask you how satisfied you are
with various parts of the service. This is what you have told us
about rent collection:
Status Survey 2009
- 88% of tenants felt the rent they pay is good value for
money
Your priorities and aspirations
Local conversations, Tenant Groups and surveys
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Rents
Improvement Plan
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- Use a dummy rent statement to show new tenants at sign-up
- Promote benefit take up
- Introduce on-line access for tenants to check own rent
account.
- Ability to pay rent by direct debit.
- Send out rent statements quarterly. Group members felt that the
best frequency for rent statements was quarterly, rather than
monthly.
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- We will work with tenants to improve the information provided
to new tenants.
- We will investigate new ways in which tenants can access and
pay their rent.
- We will reduce the frequency of statements for those tenants
who do not have rent arrears.
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3.3 Tenure
All new tenants are signed up on Introductory
Tenancies for a period of 12 months. The Housing Officers
meet with new tenants and explain their rights and responsibilities
in relation to their tenancy to them and provides all new tenants
with a comprehensive Tenancy Conditions booklet.
A tenancy checklist has been developed to
ensure that any support needs of the tenant are identified, where
possible at the sign up stage and the appropriate support referrals
are made.
During the Introductory period we carry out
‘settling in visits’ to ensure new tenants have moved in and
identify any areas of concern or support that is needed to support
the tenant.
Setting in visits and other necessary visits
take place during the introductory period to ensure consistent
management of the tenancy before it become secure.
We are currently undertaking staff training
and joint working with our corporate fraud team to reduce the risk
of tenancy fraud.
Housing Officers also work closely with the
Rent Collection officers and other support agencies to ensure that
eviction for rent arrears is kept to a minimum.
Housing Officers attend bi-weekly meetings
with the Community Safety Partnership to co-ordinate resources from
other agencies to reduce anti-social behaviour and resolve issues
without the need for Court action or Eviction.
We have recently appointed a Debt Advice
Officer who has benefit knowledge to assist people to identify
priority debts and reduce the risk of losing their home as a result
of rent arrears. 14 tenants were evicted for rent arrears during
the financial years 2009 – 2010
All new tenants are provided with a new home
pack by which contains home essentials when moving home such as
mugs, tea, coffee, sugar, bin bags, pen and pad, energy saving
light bulb and power down unit. It also contains useful
information leaflets and a magnet detailing the general and gas
repair reporting free phone numbers.
Fire safety advice leaflets as well as
information as to how to get involved in the management of their
homes is also provide to new tenants.
What you have told us
What you have told us about neighbourhood
management:
Status Survey 2009
- 38% satisfied with the advice on moving
- 39% satisfied with support provided to new tenants
- 35% satisfied with support provided to vulnerable tenants
Your priorities and aspirations
Local conversations, Tenant Groups and surveys
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Tenure Improvement Plan
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- Processes to inspect property for state of
repair/decoration.
- Feed up with tenants not controlling or cleaning up after their
pets
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- Continue our commitment to tackle tenancy fraud
- Introduce inspections to all tenants requiring a transfer to
alternative accommodation to ensure compliance with tenancy
obligations
- Implement Responsible ownership policy for people with
pets
- Implement Gas/Electricity with British gas at sign up
point
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