New tenancy agreement launched

28-MAR-07

Changes to council tenant’s rights and responsibilities will come into force from the start of April, signalling that anti-social behaviour and disrespect for people will not be tolerated.

Improvements to the legal, ‘tenancy agreement’ which is formed between tenants and Bolton Council, and managed by Bolton at Home on behalf of the Council, reflect a commitment to build stronger communities by enabling more decisive action to be taken against problem tenants.

Nuisance neighbours, perpetrators of domestic violence and those who wilfully fall behind with rent payments are among the minority of tenants targeted by new powers, including:

• community responsibilities not to take part in any form of anti-social behaviour, harassment or racist behaviour
• identifying domestic violence as grounds for eviction
• tighter controls on rent payments and a tougher approach to rent arrears
• legal action against drug use, dealing and storage in council property
  duty to allow access for repairs and annual gas appliance safety checks
• specific responsibility to keep gardens tidy

The tenancy agreement also formalises the wishes of tenants by strengthening their rights. These include the right to carry out certain repairs to their homes, make suggestions or complaints, and to be consulted on changes to the way their neighbourhoods are managed.

Noel Spencer MBE, Chair of Bolton at Home, said: “Tenants can be reassured that these changes have been introduced to protect their rights from the irresponsible behaviour of a small minority. Tenants have been at the heart of consultation over the changes and we have their overwhelming support to strengthen standards in housing management across the borough.”

The new tenancy agreement is the latest in a series of measures introduced during the last couple of years, to encourage tenants to look after their homes and pay their rent on time.

Since May 2005, all new council tenants sign up to ‘introductory tenancy
agreements’, a 12-month trial-period which only becomes secure providing
the terms of their tenancy agreement are kept to. This sends out a clear
message that council tenancies must be earned.

Secure tenants, who adhere to the terms of their tenancy agreement, are also recognised and rewarded through Bolton at Home’s ‘Plum’ initiative, which offers members a range of discounts at hundreds of national and local retailers.

Such initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour and build stronger communities in Bolton were reflected in the town being chosen to launch the national Respect Standard for Housing Management last August. This is the part of the government’s Respect Agenda which encourages citizens to work together to build a society in which individuals and communities respect one another.