Enfield Council is inviting registered providers, residents, private landlords and business owners for their views on its new draft Tenancy Strategy for 2021-2025.
The draft Tenancy Strategy sets out how the Council encourages all landlords (social housing and private) and letting agencies, to support the Council’s vision for high standards for all tenancies in the borough, so that residents live as healthily, safely, and securely as possible.
Families thrive when they stay in the same homes for the long term. Children’s education is consistent and uninterrupted as they do not have to change schools, and employment prospects are better as adults do not have to change jobs or travel further to work.
The draft strategy supports the Council’s social housing residents to have lifetime tenancies, offering fixed term tenancies only in exceptional circumstances for a proposed minimum of 10 years. It also encourages private landlords to consider longer term tenancies.
The main objectives are that residents have a clear understanding of their tenancy; lifetime tenancies are the preferred option, residents can stay in their homes for as long as it remains suitable for them and if a tenancy does end, residents are supported to avoid homelessness.
The Council’s vision is to end homelessness in the borough and will work with all landlords in the borough, so they fulfil their responsibilities under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017 to prevent homelessness.
Cllr Gina Needs, Cabinet Member for Social Housing at Enfield Council, said: “I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to let us know their views on our draft Tenancy Strategy by completing our questionnaire.
“The strategy sets out the approach the Council, and other Registered Providers of social housing in the borough, need to consider when developing or reviewing their own tenancy policies.
“Our aim is to enable residents to stay in their homes, feel settled and build strong, sustainable communities. We want our residents to live in homes that are appropriate to their needs and will continue to address housing need and actively prevent homelessness in the borough.”
The closing date for completion of the questionnaire is Thursday 11 November at 11.59pm.
Questions can be emailed to: consultation@enfield.gov.uk