Agenda item - Tenancy Agreement Report

Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

8.1       The Housing Officer introduced the report and highlighted:

• The Tenancy Agreement Report had been previously reviewed in 2009 and it needed updating due to the Housing and Planning Act 2016 being passed.
• A positive response had been received to the consultation and changes had been made to the draft report due to this.
• The Home Service Improvement Group had agreed the proposed changes.
• The key changes were: the layout; headings; phrasings; new sections were added, particularly about senior and extra care housing, “Your Rights”, and fire arms; and the rights and responsibilities section had been updated.
• The Fire Risk Management had been updated and it was emphasised that common ways needed to be kept clear as they were a severe fire hazard.
• Negative feedback had been received regarding eviction over rent arrears. It was noted that six tenants were evicted in 2016 due to rent arrears and there had been none evicted in 2017.
• The data protection and information sharing had been updated and followed the Brighton & Hove City Council’s policy.  
• Either party could bring an end to a tenancy with notice provided. It was explained that negative feedback had been received regarding this; however, each case was reviewed individually.
• The Tenancy Agreement Report would be discussed at the Housing & New Homes Committee and would be implemented by January 2018.

8.2       In response to queries raised by the Panel the Officer clarified:

• The section regarding fire safety stated: “residents must contact us before purchasing a mobility scooter”. This was due to the fire risks as a mobility scooter could be an obstruction and a fire hazard. The Council would explore storage options and would not refuse a resident from purchasing one.
• Electric wheelchairs needed to be added to the report as it was a need for the individual.
• Sheltered blocks could be considered for storage as it was agreed that mobility scooters gave the individual a quality of life.

8.3       RESOLVED – That the Panel agreed to note the report.