Staff are crucial for stock transfer. I mean this in a positive sense – a council will not be able to organise mass door-knocking without them – but also in a negative sense: if staff are not on board, tenants will wonder why they should trouble to give positive consideration to a transfer proposal which underwhelms their own housing professionals.

If this is true of housing staff, then it is even more so of building maintenance staff. Those who go into tenants' homes to fix leaking radiators or mend a window will not be slow in making their views known over the proverbial cup and biscuit.

After years of compulsory competitive tendering and best value reviews, and with the constant threat of increased competition and outsourcing, maintenance workers cannot be blamed for being sceptical.

There is, however, a very positive story about transfer for these workers and, all too frequently, it remains untold.

The influx of private sector cash guarantees a serious flow of work and the VAT advantage which internal workforces enjoy is very significant.

Only an ideologically driven union would persuade its members that they have a better future with the council than with a cash-rich, post-transfer landlord.

Perhaps it's time not only for some tiptoey TUPE consultation but also for some commercial straight talking?