Council tenants say yes to landlord switch

Published by webmaster for Bridge Group, The in Communities

Around £35 million worth of improvements are on their way for council homes across the Harborough district after tenants voted in favour of transfer to new, local registered social landlord Seven Locks Housing.

A total of 76.4 per cent of tenants who took part voted in favour of Seven Locks Housing taking control of their homes. The turnout was 78 per cent (1,800 tenants).

The formal decision to transfer still has to be made by the council and the Government’s consent is needed, but a yes vote from tenants means the way is paved for a huge investment in social housing provision in the district.

Seven Locks Housing will have access to millions of pounds of funding not available to the council, enabling it to carry out a planned £35 million programme of modernisation and improvement work, including new kitchens and bathrooms, over the next five years. All of the money Seven Locks Housing collects from rents will also be spent locally as there is no requirement for any of the rent to be paid to the Government, as was the case with the council.

The council supported the move to Seven Locks Housing as it believed that transfer was the only way to access the money needed to improve the homes to the standard that tenants have asked for.

Judith Burdett, chair of the Shadow Board of Seven Locks Housing, which will become the board proper before the transfer, said: “This is the start of a new era for housing across the Harborough district.

“The Shadow Board is delighted that tenants have voted in favour of the council transferring its housing stock to Seven Locks Housing. We would like to assure everyone that Seven Locks Housing is committed to being an excellent landlord and employer.

“Throughout the process, consultation with tenants has been the priority to ensure everyone has had the information they need to make an informed decision. There has been a lot of information to read through and understand and we would like to thank all of the tenants for taking the time to read all of the information and make their choice. We believe the right decision has been made to ensure the quality of our homes and the services provided for us and the next generation.”

The result was announced today at the end of a 28-day postal ballot carried out by The Electoral Reform Services Ltd when all secure Harborough District Council tenants, including those in sheltered accommodation, were asked whether they wanted to transfer to Seven Locks Housing or stay with the council.

The result now has to be formally considered by the council. The council then has to apply to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for permission to proceed, Seven Locks Housing must register as a social landlord with the Housing Corporation and ensure it complies with all regulatory requirements before transfer can formally take place in about nine months.

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Press release issued: March 22 2007