Posted 11.12.15
The Government has tabled an amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill that will set a maximum of five-year terms for new council secure tenancies.
If introduced, this will brings an end to the principle of 'council tenancies for life'. It will also affect the right often afforded to next of kin to take over a tenancy on the death of a tenant.
The proposals will not apply to current council tenants but will be introduced for all new tenancies, including inherited ones.
The amendment to the Bill will require councils to offer all new tenants fixed-term tenancies of between two and five years. At the end of the fixed term period, there will be a review of the tenant's circumstances.
Based on that review, the council can:
Where the decision is to terminate the tenancy, the council will be required to assist the tenant in obtaining alternative housing, including possible home ownership.
This amendment to the Bill does not apply to housing association tenants.
