Starter Tenancy Policy

Transcription

1 1. Policy Statement 1.1 Bournville Village Trust: Believes that all tenants have the right to live peacefully within their home and community and is committed to tackling all complaints of anti-social behaviour swiftly and sensitively; Is fully aware of the distress that anti-social behaviour can have on individuals and communities; Will take a robust approach to tackle problems of anti-social behaviour caused by tenants, members of their household and their visitors within the neighbourhood. 1.2 Our approach to tackling anti-social behaviour: Adopt a holistic view; Incorporate both preventative and enforcement measures that will involve and galvanise our communities; and In doing so, will provide tenant-specific prevention initiatives such as Starter Tenancies to all new tenants. 2. Scope 2.1 This policy applies to all new tenants across BVT s housing stock in Birmingham and Shropshire from 1 st April Policy Objectives 3.1 The objectives of using starter tenancies are to: Indicate to tenants and others that nuisance and anti-social behaviour are being taken seriously by Bournville Village Trust; Deter tenants from behaving anti-socially or in a criminal manner; Reduce nuisance and anti-social behaviour amongst new tenants; 1

2 3.1.4 Enable Bournville Village Trust to manage its tenancies more effectively in relation to anti-social behaviour and create or contribute to providing greater sustainability within our communities; Encourage community stability and cohesion. 3.2 The policy will be operated in conjunction with associated policies and procedures relating to the management of tenancies, such as: Anti-Social Behaviour Policy Anti-Social Behaviour Procedure Racist Incidents and Racial Harassment Procedure Arrears Management Control Eviction 4. Starter Tenancies What is a Starter Tenancy? 4.1 A starter tenancy is a weekly periodic assured shorthold tenancy which is initially for a period of twelve months (in certain circumstances the probationary period can be extended). Provided the tenancy is conducted satisfactorily, it will automatically default after the twelve-month period to an assured (non-shorthold) tenancy. 4.2 If the tenancy has not been conducted satisfactorily within the twelve-month period owing to antisocial behaviour, two months written notice can be given under Section 21 of the Housing Act Starter tenants rights are very similar to those of an assured (non-shorthold) tenant, with the exception that, for the life of the starter tenancy, they will not have the right to: Take in lodgers or sublet; Carry out alterations to their home; Have the right to exchange; or 2

3 4.3.4 Have the right for the tenancy to be succeeded. 5. Resident Involvement 5.1 This policy has been subject to approval from the Tenant Participation Panel. 5.2 We will ensure any amendments to the policy will be made in consultation with all relevant residents groups. 6. Equality & Diversity 6.1 We are committed to equal opportunities and all our customers have a right to receive fair and equitable treatment when accessing this policy and its related procedures. 6.2 We will ensure the promotion of our equality and diversity principles by publishing information and documentation in different formats/languages as required. 6.3 We will make appropriate arrangements for communicating with our customers who have special needs such as people with sight, hearing and learning difficulties. 6.4 We will not treat you less favourably than anyone else because of your: sex or marital status: this includes family status, responsibility for dependents, and gender (including gender reassignment, whether proposed, commenced or complete); sexual orientation; colour or race: this includes ethnic or national origin or nationality; disability; religious or philosophical or political beliefs, or trade union affiliation; or other unjustifiable factors, for example language difficulties or age 3

4 6.5 This policy has been made subject to an Equality Impact Assessment the results of which have been made available on the BVT Intranet and also available on request from the Business Improvement Unit at Bournville Village Trust. 7. Legislative & Regulatory Framework 7.1 The main legislation governing this policy: Housing Act 1996 amended by the Housing Act Related Policies & Procedures 8.1 This policy should be read in conjunction with Bournville Village Trust s: Lettings Policy Anti-Social Behaviour Policy 9. Data Protection 9.1 BVT is registered under the Data Protection Act Under the terms of our Data Protection Statement we will keep any personal data collected safe and secure, and we will not share it with other organisations without consent, unless we are required by law to do so. 10. Value for Money 10.1 We consider value for money to be the balance between efficiency, effectiveness and economy. This means achieving low costs, high productivity and successful outcomes for our customers and we will endeavour to apply this in all activities that relate directly to the Starter Tenancy Policy. 4

5 11. Monitoring & Review 11.1 Monitoring Arrangements Bournville Village Trust will record information on incidents of anti-social behaviour and nuisance for both existing secure, assured (non-shorthold) tenants and starter tenants. In addition, the number of Notices Requiring Possession served on each category of tenants will be recorded for comparison purposes. The following data will also be collated for internal monitoring of the scheme: Number of tenancies created Number of Notices Requiring Possession served Types of breaches of tenancy Number of appeals heard Number of appeals upheld Number of appeals rejected Number of Court Orders for Possession obtained and refused Number of eviction warrants obtained and refused Number of evictions Number of terminated tenancies following service of Notice Requiring Possession Levels of turnover and abandonment 12. Key Performance Indicators 12.1 Number of Notices Seeking Possession served by breach type (ASB/Arrears/tenancy issues) Percentage of successful conversions per quarter. 13. Targets 13.1 To ensure follow up visits are carried out, and all documentation is completed in a timely manner To signpost residents to seek advice in regard to benefit take up/money advice issues, and independent legal advice. 5

6 13.3 To offer home visits to any resident who may find it difficult to attend office interviews To work with Language Line, when required, where a resident s first language is not English or when requested to do so. 14. Customer Satisfaction Surveys 14.1 We will carry out new tenant satisfaction surveys within four weeks of occupation. 15. Review 15.1 This policy will be reviewed every two years unless amendment is prompted by a change in legislation, operational requirements or customer feedback. 6