Decision status: Recommendations Approved
The
Report sought approval to elect to operate an Introductory
Tenancies regime for all new council tenants. The Report outlined
the statutory framework under which the council may choose to
operate Introductory Tenancies, and the rationale for taking that
course of action. |
|
11.2 |
RESOLVED: That the Housing Policy Committee:-
1.
To approve the adoption and operation of an Introductory Tenancies
regime (ITR), the key consequence of which would be that all new
council tenants would be on a non-secure tenancy for the initial
probationary period (12 to 18 months). The aim will be to implement
this change on or after 01/04/2023. |
11.3 |
Reasons for Decision |
11.3.1 |
The
recommendation of the paper is to adopt an Introductory Tenancies
regime. It is vital that SCC take every action to effectively
manage the increasingly scarce supply of social housing in the
city. The policy allows us to do this better by allowing SCC to
make use of streamlined legal pathways to seeking possession of a
property where there have been serious breaches of the tenancy
agreement – something other Local Authorities in core cities
are making use of currently. Further, it would bring SCC in line
with registered providers in the city and other South Yorkshire
local authorities, meaning that Sheffield would no longer be making
the necessary process of seeking possession of tenancies harder
than it is for our peer organisations and operating a more generous
regime. Finally, the consultation undertaken clearly illustrates
the desire of the public and our tenants to implement a policy of
this nature, reinforcing the notion that people are at the heart of
what we do and that we listen to our customers in making decisions.
Adopting this policy would signal to our tenants and other
customers that we are committed to taking action, when necessary,
in a fair, consistent and proportionate manner and is therefore the
recommendation of the paper. |
11.4 |
Alternatives Considered and Rejected |
The primary alternate option is ‘do
nothing’ and opt not to implement an Introductory Tenancies
regime. The decision to adopt is discretionary, meaning the Council
is not required to do so. The Council has been operating without
Introductory Tenancies since their introduction in legislation, and
therefore this is considered a viable option. However, this option
is not recommended, as it would deny the Council a useful tenancy
management tool at a time when effective management of our housing
stock is increasing in both difficulty and importance. Further, it
would not be taking all possible steps to improve customer outcomes
when there is strong tenant voice to have a fair and effective
approach to dealing with violations of tenancy agreements, as
demonstrated by the fact that a large majority of those consulted
were in favour of this policy. |
Report author: Suzanne Allen
Publication date: 18/11/2022
Date of decision: 10/11/2022
Decided at meeting: 10/11/2022 - Housing Policy Committee
Accompanying Documents: