Cabinet have approved new Homes & Neighbourhoods tenancy agreement changes
On Tuesday 8 July, Cabinet approved a report which included proposed amendments to our Tenancy Agreement. We will now make the changes to the document and draft a final agreement to share with tenants.
What is the Tenancy Agreement
The Tenancy Agreement, which is a legal contract between us and our tenants, sets out both of our rights and responsibilities. The terms and conditions set out in the current agreement have undergone minor changes over the past ten years but have not had a full review since before Homes & Neighbourhoods, then Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, came back under council control.
Why we have made changes
Under the Housing Act 1985, we recently completed a consultation for the proposed changes to the Tenancy Agreement, which considers crucial new guidance set out by the government as well as making a number of existing points easier to understand. Feedback from the consultation was summarised in a report for Cabinet, and taken into consideration before any changes were approved.
You can read the Cabinet report online.
As well as changes in legislation, the updates set out the rights and responsibilities of us and our tenants including those related to rent, repairs, and end of tenancy procedures.
The changes to the Tenancy Agreement also clarify various policies including access, usage, antisocial behaviour, pets, and parking.
Councillor Moses Crook, Deputy Leader of Kirklees Council and Cabinet Member for Transport and Housing, says:
“We’ve been working hard to transform our Homes & Neighbourhoods services for tenants, these updates to the Tenancy Agreement are part of this. By helping to clarify areas of the current agreement that may be overcomplicated, and by factoring in changes to legislation, we can better support our tenants and work together more effectively to care for our homes and communities.
“The changes will also enable us to take any necessary enforcement action, so we can tackle antisocial behaviour and manage any breaches more effectively, ensuring that all of our tenants can have enjoyment of their homes and the areas in which they live.”
Once the council has finalised the Tenancy Agreement, all tenants will be contacted again four weeks before any changes are made to tenancy agreements.