Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director – Housing and Revenues

The Assistant Director- Housing and Revenues submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the draft Housing Services Tenancy Policy 2025-2030 (also previously circulated) prior to consideration by Cabinet on 2 December 2025.

It was reported that the Regulator of Social Housing’s (RSH) Consumer Standards state that Registered Providers of social housing must “offer tenancies or terms of occupation which are compatible with the purpose of the accommodation, the needs of individual households, the sustainability of the community, and the efficient use of their housing stock”; and the aims of the Housing Services Tenancy Policy 2025-2030 were outlined.

The submitted report stated that the types of tenancies offered for Darlington’s Council housing were introductory tenancies, secure tenancies and flexible tenancies (or fixed term tenancies); and the tenancy policy also covered mutual exchanges, succession rights, transfers and tenancy assignments.

The proposed changes to the existing tenancy policy were outlined and reference was made to the outcome of consultation, in particular, the Tenancy Panel’s support for flexible tenancies for new build properties.

Members voiced their support for the rightsizing offer and secure tenancies for new build properties; and requested figures for the number of flexible tenancies. Discussion ensued regarding the review process for flexible tenancies.

RESOLVED – That Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee agree to the onward submission of the draft Housing Services Tenancy Policy 2025-2030 to Cabinet.