Security of tenure proposals rejected

The Government’s controversial security of tenure proposals have been rejected by members of the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS).

Some 216 TPAS resident group members responded to the e-based consultation relating to security of tenure and the ‘Local Decisions: A Fairer future for social housing’ Green Paper.

It revealed that 77 per cent of tenant members who took part in the survey were against ending lifetime tenancies for new tenants, and 79.5 per cent said landlords should not be able to limit the length of a new tenancy to a fixed period as low as two years.

When asked if new tenants should have to move out of their rented home if their income increased above a defined level, 76.6 per cent said no.

Some 81 per cent of respondents felt it was less likely that family networks and local communities would be strengthened as a result of the plans, and 72.6 per cent thought the proposals would make it less likely that tenants would get involved in helping to deliver public services in their area.

Other results found 62.2 per cent of respondents disagreeing with the idea that issuing fixed term tenancies would lead to more homes being available for those in housing need.

Encouragingly, more than three-fifths felt their landlord will ask for their opinion before making a decision to issue fixed term tenancies, while the significance of the security of tenure policy was deemed to be ‘important’ by an overwhelming 96.3 per cent.

TPAS chief executive, Michelle Reid, said: “This is an important consultation paper and our resident members have made their feelings on the Coalition Government’s security of tenure proposals very clear.

“Tenants don’t believe it’s right to end lifetime tenancies, limit new tenancy agreements or move those earning more money out of their homes.

“Indeed, one member commented ‘this will have an adverse effect with tenants and families having to be constantly on the move, a break-up of communities, homes becoming transient camps with no permanent roots’.

“On top of this, our respondents feel their neighbourhoods and communities will be weakened. They fear that fewer people will get involved in delivering public services. These proposals may undermine the very principle of localism by putting people in fear of getting involved when their tenancies hang in the balance.

“TPAS supports a wide range of people living in social housing. The creation of mixed communities is central to sustainable communities and it should be a choice that is available at different points in a person’s or household’s life.

“TPAS is also concerned the ‘affordable rents’ proposal will simply increase demand for Housing Benefit at a time when the Department for Works and Pensions is tasked with reducing it, which suggests different Government departments appear to be following contradictory policy.

“The consultation is powerful evidence that people do not support the proposals and TPAS hopes this prompts a re-think of the whole issue surrounding security of tenure at a time when we are reassured tenant involvement and empowerment is here to stay.”

TPAS will now submit the results to the Government along with a report after being invited to respond to the consultation.