The housing lobby has reached a consensus on the issue of a single tenancy by dropping the most controversial aspect of the idea
In a letter to Hilary Armstrong, Chartered Institute of Housing president Margaret Vass claimed that creating a single tenancy would be "a landmark for housing worthy of appearing centrestage" in the forthcoming Green Paper.

The letter claimed that there was now a consensus across the housing sector for the idea. But it has emerged that this has only been achieved through a compromise which removed the most contentious aspect of single tenancy. The institute's latest proposals call for reform of the Right to Buy to be treated separately from any new single tenancy.

This was done in part to secure the support of housing associations who are fiercely against extending the Right to Buy to assured tenants, for fear of their assets being sold off cheap under the purchase discounts available.

CIH policy manager David Fotheringham said: "We don't want the single tenancy debate to be squandered on the Right to Buy issue."

He admitted that a single tenancy without the Right to Buy would be "a kind of compromise." But he added: "It would be a major step forward from where we are now."

The letter suggests that a single tenancy would help ensure more successful transfer ballots. It says: "In situations where stock transfer is proposed, it would give tenants more opportunity to choose their landlord on the basis of the service offered, rather than fears about losing their rights. The recent 'no' vote at Tower Hamlets was a further example of the potential damage this can cause with a potential £48m of investment lost."

It adds that the move would also help create a level playing field between the council and RSL sectors which would help joint working.

National Housing Federation policy officer John Bryant said that the federation supported the principle of a single tenancy, but was against extending the Right to Buy to assured tenants.

Source

Housing Today