Agenda item

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the revised Tenants Incentive Scheme be approved and implemented from 1 March, 2020.

2.   That the revised Tenants Incentive Scheme Policy, attached at Appendix A of the officer’s report, be approved and implemented, superseding all previous arrangements.

3.   That the Communications and Marketing Plan, attached at Appendix B of the officer’s report, be approved.

4.   That the Tenants Incentive Scheme be reviewed every two years or as required, subject to significant legislative change.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.   To encourage mobility within our housing stock and ensure tenants occupy properties that meet their housing need and are affordable to them.

2.   To reduce rent arrears and maximise rental income.

3.   To prevent homelessness and increase tenancy sustainment.

The Assistant Director – Housing submitted a report recommending for approval a revised Tenants Incentive Scheme and accompanying policy documentation.

The current Tenants Incentive Scheme was approved in 2012, however significant legislative and social policy changes had since come into effect which had impacted on the ability of some tenants to maintain rental payments on their homes. Furthermore, the current scheme was not providing sufficient incentives to encourage tenants to consider moving to homes that were more affordable and suitable for their needs.

The revised Scheme was intended to support tenants to create stable tenancies through moving into homes where they were at less risk of accumulating rent arrears. Benchmarking had been undertaken with other Local Authority Schemes and a communications and marketing plan had been developed to actively promote the revised scheme and maximise its take up.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the revised Tenants Incentive Scheme be approved and implemented from 1 March, 2020.

2.   That the revised Tenants Incentive Scheme Policy, attached at Appendix A of the officer’s report, be approved and implemented, superseding all previous arrangements.

3.   That the Communications and Marketing Plan, attached at Appendix B of the officer’s report, be approved.

4.   That the Tenants Incentive Scheme be reviewed every two years or as required, subject to significant legislative change.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.   To encourage mobility within our housing stock and ensure tenants occupy properties that meet their housing need and are affordable to them.

2.   To reduce rent arrears and maximise rental income.

3.   To prevent homelessness and increase tenancy sustainment.