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Tenancy Agreement Consultation

All Council housing tenants were consulted about the proposed changes to the tenancy agreement between 17 October 2022 and 14 November 2022, following the service of a Preliminary Notice of Variation.

All responses were considered before finalising the new tenancy conditions.

The variation to the tenancy agreement will automatically take effect on Monday 27 March 2023. All Council housing tenants will receive a Final Notice of Variation to your Tenancy letter along with a copy of the new tenancy agreement.

Consultation feedback and responses

In October 2022, the formal consultation period started; 6494 tenants were invited to provide comments on the proposed changes.

We received 91 responses to the consultation. Of the 91 responses, 68 tenants agreed with the changes. We would like to thank tenants who provided invaluable feedback about the proposals.

The key issues raised from tenants during the formal consultation are summarised.

Proposed Tenancy Clause

  • You, people living with you and any visitors to the property must not use social media or any other form of communication to make false statements, abuse,threaten, harass or be derogatory towards Council employees, contractors, agents or Councillors. Communication includes telephone calls, text messages, e-mails or posting comments on social media. This condition applies wherever the communication takes place.

Feedback

Concerns about freedom of speech and whether comments on social media about the Council would be acted upon.

Response

The clause will be enacted on a proportionality basis where the acts are deemed to be at a criminal threshold and/or has a direct impact on the ability of the Council to manage the tenancy and/or maintain the property in line with its duties and responsibilities.

  • The new clause has been introduced.

Proposed Tenancy Clause

  • We will take photographs of all new tenants. Photographs help us prevent social housing fraud, and for us to help you in the case of an emergency, for example fire, flood etc.

Feedback

Concerns about the storage of photographs.

Response

Photographic ID is already requested when a housing applicant signs up for a new tenancy to prevent tenancy fraud. Where tenants do not have photographic ID, we will take a photo for the tenancy file. This excludes photos of minors. Photographs are stored in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.

  • The new clause has been introduced.

Proposed Tenancy Clause

  • You are responsible for the upkeep of the boundary marker only, such as fencing or hedges and not for the boundary itself.

Feedback

Clarity was requested on who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of fencing.

Response

The Council is responsible for repair of maintenance of fencing where the Council has installed this, the exception is where tenants have installed this.

  • The clause has been amended to the following:

The council is responsible for the demarcation of the boundary only. You must not move a demarcated boundary.

Proposed Tenancy Clause

  • You must not routinely dry clothes on radiators and ensure radiators are not obstructed

Response

The clause states that clothes should not be routinely dried on radiators. This means that it is permissible but offers a common-sense approach to avoiding damp and mould in the property.

The new clause has been introduced.

Tenancy agreement variation date

The variation to the tenancy agreement will automatically take effect on Monday 27 March 2023. All our housing tenants will receive a Notice letter along with a copy of the new tenancy agreement.

The new agreement will replace any existing agreements our tenants currently have.

Contact Housing management and tenancy services

If you have any queries regarding the revised tenancy conditions, please call the Housing Management and Tenancy Services Section

  • telephone: 01623 450000 - option 1, then option 2