Decision details

Approve and publish the tenancy strategy in line with cabinet decision of 26th July 2018.

The Localism Act 2011 required every local Authority to publish a tenancy strategy. The current Tenancy Strategy has now expired and needs to be renewed.

At cabinet on 26th July 2018, Cabinet approved the consultation draft of the tenancy strategy, subject to a 6 week consultation period.

There have been no significant changes made to the draft tenancy strategy as a result of the consultation and the new Tenancy Strategy has therefore been approved and published.

The new Tenancy Strategy 2018 introduces new charges to households in temporary accommodation. This strategy sets charges for homeless households living in temporary accommodation that are both affordable and reasonably reflect the level of rent that they would be likely to have to pay in a permanent home.

The Tenancy Strategy states;

‘Where the council is not the owner and has arranged the temporary accommodation through a third party, then the council will pay for the costs of the accommodation in the first instance. However the council is able to recover a reasonable charge from the resident to assist with the cost of the accommodation. The council will raise a charge equal to the relevant LHA rate for the accommodation.’

These changes will be introduced on 12th November 2018.

The option to reject the revised policy was considered, however the council has a  statutory duty to adopt a tenancy strategy.