1. Tenure Reform

2. 2 The Case for Housing Reform Waiting Lists 1.8m Households on waiting lists Approx. 50,000 households in temporary accommodation Overcrowding 250,000 social homes are overcrowded 400,000 social homes are underoccupied Mobility Fewer than 5% of social sector households move within the social sector each year compared to almost 25% of private renters Employment Fewer than half of social tenants of working age are in employment

3. 3 Housing Reform – the Guiding Principles “LOCALISM, LOCALISM, LOCALISM” FLEXIBILITY FOCUSING SUPPORT WHERE IT’S NEEDED MOST

4. 4 From Principles to Policy The Headlines FIXED-TERM TENANCIES TENANCY STRATEGIES TENANCY STANDARD SUCCESSION

5. 5 The Changes Fixed-term tenancies TERMINOLOGY LA FIXED-TERM = FLEXIBLE PRP FIXED-TERM = ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCY REISSUE, NOT RENEWAL MINIMUM LENGTH WHAT DOES ‘2 YEAR MINIMUM TERM’ ACTUALLY MEAN? OPTIONAL EXTRA - CAN USE FIXED TERMS FOR ALL, SOME OR NO NEW TENANCIES

6. 6 The Changes Tenancy Strategies What? High-level document Set out broad housing objectives, not the detail No specified format Who? Every Local Housing Authority LAs must consult PRPs Why? 1.Transparency 2.Encourage a coherent approach within an area When? Up to 12 months from commencement Relationship between LAs and PRPs What does “Have regard to” actually mean?

7. 7 The Changes Tenancy Standard SoS can already direct the regulator on: Rent; Quality of Accommodation; and Tenant Involvement Localism Bill will give new powers to direct on: Mutual exchange; and Tenure – will start consultation in late Spring/early Summer Direction to take effect in April 2012 (subject to parliamentary approval) Result will be reduced regulation and increased flexibility

8. 8 The Changes Succession 1.Equalisation of rights Secure/Assured (all future tenants) 2.Removal of ‘one succession only’ constraint 3.Express term in the tenancy agreement 4.Flexibility for landlord – additional review point 5.Certainty for those living with tenant before they move in 6.Individual agreements to cater for individual requirements

9. 9 Consultation responses Consultation: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/socialhousing reform Summary of Responses to Consultation: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/localdecision sresponse

10. 10 Myths End of lifetime tenancies Every fixed-term tenancy will have to be 2 years Tenants finding work must be evicted LAs can prevent housing associations from using fixed-term tenancies Changes will affect existing tenants