Tenancy Strategy Consultation

We want to change Hounslow’s Tenancy Strategy so that if you move to a long-term Council home you will receive a year-long introductory tenancy, and if you keep to the terms of that agreement, after a year it becomes a secure tenancy. This will do away with the current process where you get a year long introductory tenancy and then a five year flexible tenancy before you qualify for a secure tenancy. This consultation asks for your views on ending flexible tenancies. Please complete the consultation by 9am 13th November 2024.

What this would mean

Why do we have flexible tenancies?

The Coalition Government introduced the option for councils to offer flexible tenancies as part of the Localism Act, 2011. We introduced flexible tenancies to Hounslow Council homes in 2014.

The Government’s view was that flexible tenancies would give councils greater power to offer homes to those who need it most, and to avoid people being given lifelong tenancies when their circumstances may have changed. Over the years, Hounslow, the same as many other councils, has seen that flexible tenancies do not improve the supply of homes, and they create an administrative burden for us and for our tenants.

Assuming this proposal is agreed, if you currently have a flexible tenancy and you are nearing the end of your five-year period you will automatically become a secure tenant, assuming you have kept to the terms of your tenancy. If you are earlier in your flexible tenancy, and don’t want to wait, you can ask the Council to change it to a secure tenancy.

What options were open to the Council?

When reviewing flexible tenancies we considered:

Do nothing. This would mean keeping flexible tenancies as they are at the moment. We suggest this is not feasible as the past 10 years of flexible tenancies has shown no benefit to the tenants, the community or the Council, and the approach has not improved the numbers of homes available.

Keep a flexible tenancy for certain circumstances. We suggest this is not feasible as the flexible tenancy approach has not been proved to work in Hounslow.

To stop issuing flexible tenancies. This is our recommended position. We will retain introductory tenancies for the first 12 months, which may address any immediate issue, so there seems to be no benefit of retaining flexible tenancies. We believe it would be fairer to our tenants if they can get their secure tenancy at an earlier stage.

Hounslow's Cabinet agreed that we should consult residents on stopping issuing flexible tenancies, and your opinions will help inform our decision on how we move forward.

Who are we consulting?

We are asking all for your views on this proposal if you:

• are a current Hounslow tenant, holding any type of tenancy
• if you live with a Hounslow tenant
• if you are on Hounslow’s Housing Register
• if you are not a Council tenant but you live near council homes.

We are also keen to hear from local organisations who support people with housing.

The outcomes of the consultation will inform the Council’s decision about the terms of the Tenancy Strategy and whether flexible tenancies should no longer be offered.

Please share your views

We want to know what you think about this proposal. Please take part in our consultation (below), it will take you about five minutes to complete.

If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of this consultation, would need a large print or Easy Read version or require a translation, please email us at engage@hounslow.gov.uk or you can meet with one of our officers to discuss this issue and pick up a paper copy. Please see the 'Come and Meet us to discuss' section to find out where we will be.

Please return your consultation to us by 9am on Monday 13th November 2024.

Many thanks for taking part in the consultation, your views help shape the Council’s final decision on the Tenancy Strategy.