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Tenancy Review Consultation

We consulted with tenants and other stakeholders from Monday 4 April to Sunday 29 May 2022 on our proposals to:

  1. Stop using flexible tenancies and
  2. Updates to Conditions of Tenancy

Results

Part 1. Flexible tenancy consultation

We are pleased our proposals to stop using flexible tenancies was approved by the Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing on 5 July 2022. We have stopped issuing flexible tenancies. The use of introductory tenancies is not affected by this change.

If you are still a flexible tenant you can let us know you would like to convert. If you are a secure tenant you do not need to do anything.

For more information on why we wanted to stop using flexible tenancies and revert to using secure tenancies please read our Flexible Tenancy Review Report.

Our Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy have been updated to reflect this.

Part 2. Conditions of Tenancy consultation

Thank you to all of those of you who responded to our updates, all comments were considered, and only minor amendments have been made to our original proposals. These will give clarity in some areas and reflect business community needs. The Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing agreed these variations on 5 July 2022.

Full list of changes

The new terms of your tenancy came into effect on 5 September 2022 and a notice of variation was sent to all tenants.

Pets

Why do I now have to ask permission to have a pet?

It was already a condition of tenancy to request permission for a pet. We would not withhold permission unless it was in exceptional circumstances.

You can let us know you already have a pet by using the same form used to request permission.

How do I request permission to have a pet?

Please fill in a pet request form

Pets in the home 

 

Repairs

Why are you removing the word "good" before repairs?

Removing the word good before repairs reflects what is expected of us in legislation and prevents confusion around what the word good means in legal circumstances. The quality of repair we expect from contractors will remain the same.

We will be providing more detail around the quality of repair we expect in our new repair policy.

 

Septic tanks

Can you clarify what it means to ‘facilitate’ the emptying and maintenance of the tank?

Facilitate means to help us deal with the process of emptying and maintenance of the system such as through using the system properly and providing access to carry out works when required.

 

Ring doorbells or other cameras that view outside of the dwelling

Why do we have to ask for permission to have a doorbell with integrated camera?

Requesting permission for CCTV is already in our conditions of tenancy. We wanted to make it clear that doorbells with integrated cameras are a form of CCTV and are covered by the current clause. We would not withhold permission unless it was in exceptional circumstances.  

How do I request permission to have CCTV?

Please fill in a tenant alteration request form

Tenant alteration request

Part 1. Flexible Tenancy Consultation

Since September 2014 Waverley have granted introductory and flexible tenancies to all new general needs tenants. Introductory tenancies are for 12 months and flexible tenancies last for five years. Tenancies granted before September 2014 are secure (lifetime) and those issued to senior living tenants have remained secure tenancies throughout.

We have found that flexible tenancies are not successful in maximising the use of council homes, can prevent tenants feeling secure and invested in their home and community and are intensive and complex to manage. To stop using flexible tenancies, we need to update our tenancy policy and tenancy strategy accordingly.

We are proposing to phase out the use of flexible tenancies and revert to awarding secure tenancies. Existing introductory tenants would convert to a secure tenancy providing the introductory period had been successfully completed. Existing flexible tenants could convert to a secure tenancy, providing there is no breach of tenancy.

Part 2. Conditions of Tenancy Consultation

As part of this review, we want to ensure your conditions of tenancy are up to date. The proposed changes reflect changes in law, regulation and general accepted good practice. This ensures that our responsibilities as a landlord and your responsibilities as a tenant are clear and fair. Our conditions of tenancy were last updated in 2018 so all changes are relatively small.

Following the eight week consultation period, we will consider all the feedback we receive and may modify the proposed changes as a result of that feedback. Current tenants will be sent a notice of variation, in August, outlining actual changes to the conditions of tenancy, which you and we will be bound by and the date which this will come into effect.

Part 1. Flexible Tenancy Consultation

We are proposing to phase out the use of flexible tenancies and revert to awarding secure tenancies. Existing introductory tenants would convert to a secure tenancy providing the introductory period had been successfully completed. Existing flexible tenants could convert to a secure tenancy, providing there is no breach of tenancy.

Part 2. Conditions of Tenancy Consultation

Summary of Proposed Changes

We are proposing to remove: 

  • The Flexible tenancy definition as we are proposing to stop using this type of tenancy. 
  • References to housing related support charge as this no longer exists. 
  • Flexible tenancy succession details as this will no longer be relevant. 

We are proposing to include: 

  • A Social housing fraud definition 
  • Further complaints information 
  • Further compensation information 
  • Holiday let information 
  • Additional circumstances in which recharges can occur 
  • Septic tank maintenance information 
  • Access for electrical checks information 
  • The power to use Anti-social behaviour (ASB) closure orders 
  • Handling of weapons information 
  • Permission for Ring doorbells (with cameras)

We are also proposing to update the language to ensure clarity in these clauses: 

  • Sublet
  • Repairs and maintenance 
  • Recharge at end of tenancy 

A full list of proposed changes can be found in the Preliminary Notice of Variation that was sent to all tenants on 31 March 2022.

  • Tenants
  • Affordable housing providers
  • Members of the public living or working in the borough
  • Waverley Councillor/ Town or Parish Councillor/ Neighbourhood Plan group members
  • Statutory organisation representatives
  • Affordable housing provider representatives
  • Charity representatives

How do I know what sort of tenancy I have?

All tenancies granted before September 2014 are secure. Tenancies granted since September 2014 for general needs tenants are introductory to flexible and those issued to tenants in senior living schemes are introductory to secure. 

My details on the letter is wrong, what do I do?

Let us know the correct details and we will update our records. We may need supporting evidence to make the changes.

I need the information in a different format

Let us know what format you require and we will aim to assist. 

Contact details can be found in the section below.

More information

Please contact the Housing Service Improvement Team:

  • If you require any of this information in another format or
  • For more information on the consultation

Service.improvement@waverley.gov.uk or 01483 523196