Housing association Sovereign has added its weight to the growing number of social landlords that have announced they will stop issuing fixed-term tenancies on all three-bed property or smaller, and replace them all with assured tenancies.
Sovereign says the move will provide residents with long-term security by removing the need to renew their tenancies – allowing those who live in a Sovereign properties a home for life.
Sovereign has over 8,000 residents currently on fixed-term tenancies and, in October 2020, any resident in a three-bed home or smaller will have their tenancy converted to an assured tenancy, irrespective of when their existing agreement comes up for renewal.
Sovereign’s regional director of Housing, Helen Hann, said: “We’re a leading housing association, driven by our social purpose where our residents always come first – and that means more homes, better places and excellent services.
“We want to provide homes that people can afford, raise a family in, and where they can thrive and stay for the long term.
“We believe everyone should be able to have a guaranteed level of security in their home, where they feel safe. Lifetime tenures encourage stronger, more engaged and thriving communities.
“We are pleased to join others in the sector who have already implemented this change.”
Fixed-term tenancies were introduced by the Localism Act 2011 with the aim of allocating social housing to those who need it and not giving lifetime tenancies to people whose circumstances might change in the future.
Sovereign says its decision to keep fixed-term tenancies on four-bed properties and larger is due to the shortage of these properties for larger families whose circumstances will change over time, reducing the need for a larger property as the family dynamics change.
Kelly McArthur, head of Lettings, said: “We’re pleased to share the news of this exciting change with our existing and potential customers.
“Our new tenancy policy sees us letting more homes with assured tenancies from 1 October 2020.
“We’re also taking a positive approach to convert all fixed-term tenancies on three-bed homes or smaller in October, which I’m sure will be welcome news to our customers.”
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