At a recent meeting the Minister told NFTMO Chair Terry Edis that he viewed the clause as an important contribution to the empowerment of tenants and was fully supportive. The Bill reaches Commons Report stage in April.

 

The NFTMO and CCH wrote the following letter to MPs who were involved at the committee stage of the bill:-

 

Dear Member of Parliament,

 

Housing and Regeneration Bill

Support for Clause 259 (now 282)

 

We are writing to you in your capacity as a member of the Housing and Regeneration Bill Committee in order to ask you to support Clause 259 (now 282)of the Bill.

 

The clause has the support of all three national tenants’ organisations that are recognised by the Government – our two organisations and TAROE (Tenants and Residents Organisations of England.)

 

As you will be aware, Clause 259 (now 282)paves the way for regulations that would require local authorities to co-operate with a proposal for a tenant led stock transfer initiative where such a transfer is the best option and has the support of council tenants effected.

 

We consider that tenant-led and neighbourhood based housing organisations could contribute significantly to establishing a general tenant and community led culture across the social housing sector.

 

Of course, our preferred option would be that all local authorities are keen to work to support tenant-led stock transfer programmes, but we know that this is not always the case.  We would like to see a framework that ensures that a local authority is not in a position to block a tenant-led stock transfer proposal without a legitimate and independently assessed reason.

 

If a properly conducted feasibility study, commissioned by the tenants’ organisation, demonstrates that community ownership is viable and the preferred option for tenants then the initiative deserves the council’s support.

 

No stock transfer can take place without the new community landlord being registered with the Housing Corporation and without evidence of tenant support through a secret ballot.

 

The small numbers of tenant-led stock transfers that have taken place are proof that the model can be successful. Just ask the tenants of WATMOS Community Homes (in Walsall), Beechwood and Ballantyne Community Housing Association (in Birkenhead) or Waterton and Elgin Community Homes (in London).

 

Experience has shown, however, that we will see a wider take up of this option only if communities are empowered to negotiate with their council landlords on a more equal footing. Clause 259 will make an important contribution.

 

 

Yours Sincerely

 

 

Terry Edis                                           Nic Bliss