Bring in fixed-term tenancies, say Castle Point tenants (From Echo)

Bring in fixed-term tenancies, say Castle Point tenants

7:20am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Luke Lambert

Council flats at Merrivale in Benfleet

A COUNCIL house is no longer for life say tenants after they revealed they were in favour of introducing fixed-term tenancies.

The consultation, which was given to residents at Canvey, Benfleet, Thundersley and Hadleigh liaison meetings, asked for their views on whether they think fixed term tenancies should be at least five years, the importance of having a local connection to be accepted on a housing register and the importance of having a financial need when accepted onto the register.

The results showed 65% of people wanted fixed-term tenancies to last no longer than five years, as opposed to lifetime tenancies. Results also indicated that over 86% of people voted that a local connection was necessary when applying to be on the housing register and 75% think a financial need should be taken into account when accepted onto the housing register.

Councillor Andrew Sheldon said he supported the changes although wondered if officers had taken into consideration the amount of empty homes currently in the borough and said this should be a priority.

He said: “There are a large number of empty homes in Castle Point and I think we should focus on them as if we can fill an empty home it takes a family off our housing need register and would decrease the amount of homes we have to build in the local plan. It would be entirely beneficial for everyone.”

Under the Localism Act passed by the Government last year, councils now have greater powers to decide who should be eligible to go on the housing waiting list.