Lifetime tenancies are a step closer to be re-introduced throughout Wokingham Borough.
The ending of fixed term tenancies (FTT) will take place after a consultation with affected residents.
New residents will also be offered Lifetime Tenancies moving forwards. Last week’s executive meeting heard there is no evidence that the implementation of fixed term tenancies has led to an increase in the mobility of the Council’s housing stock, as had been intended.
The Council will now follow the lead of other councils and registered providers, and revert to the use of lifetime tenancies.
This, it said, will release staff capacity by reducing the administrative burden of renewing fixed term tenancies.
Additionally, the change will increase resident satisfaction and create stronger communities by increasing residents’ housing security and helping to create more stable lives.
Lifetime tenancies also help underpin the Council’s commitment to Social Care Futures, aiming to give those in need a stable, affordable home and to be part of a community where everyone belongs.
In turn, without a fixed time limit on their tenancy and uncertainty over whether it will be renewed, residents will have improved confidence investing in their home and contributing positively to their local community.
The executive was asked to authorise a consultation on this decision with affected residents, and for the director of places and growth to have delegated authority to implement this policy change, in consultation with the executive member for housing, following a review of the consultation responses.
Following approval of this recommendation, residents will automatically sign up to a lifetime tenancy upon the expiry of their fixed term tenancy as well as all new tenancies into the HRA.
