Tenancy Strategy Consultation

We, Wealden District Council, are required by law to have a strategy that sets out exactly what providers of social housing in the district must consider, when creating their policies. This strategy is known as the Tenancy Strategy.

The Localism Act 2011 required local authorities like Wealden, to produce and publish their first strategy by the beginning of 2013. Wealden District Council's first Tenancy Strategy was in fact published in November 2012 and we have been updating it ever since.

We are now asking for your comments on the latest version of the strategy as part of this consultation.

What's in a Tenancy Strategy?

As said above, legislation requires that the strategy sets out exactly what providers of social housing in the district must consider, when creating their policies. This includes:

a. The kind of tenancies they grant,

b. The circumstances in which they will grant a tenancy of a particular kind,

c. Where they grant tenancies for a certain term, the lengths of the terms, and

d. The circumstances in which they will grant a further tenancy on the coming to an end of an existing tenancy.

The aim of a Tenancy Strategy

The strategy aims to make sure the current and future housing needs of Wealden's local community is met. However, it also recognises the opportunities and constraints within which registered social housing providers operate.

The council expects all social housing providers operating in the district to, among other things:

• Where financially viable to develop new social housing in the district including both social and affordable rent.

• Offer new tenants the most secure tenancy possible in line with existing legislation.

• Make the best use of their available housing stock. Including through reducing overcrowding, tackling under-occupation and making the best use of adapted housing for those with a disability. This includes by actively supporting and promoting mutual exchanges, as well as transfers and considering other innovative ways to tackle these issues.

You can find much more information about the underlying principles of housing provision in Wealden by reading the draft Tenancy Strategy 2024, available on the right hand side of this page.

There is a short survey at the bottom of this page that will give you the chance to tell us what you think of our revised Tenancy Strategy, we encourage you to complete it.

This consultation closes on Monday 19 August.