Local Letting Policies
Section 166A(6) of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011) enables local authorities to allocate particular accommodation to people of a particular description, whether or not they fall within the reasonable preference categories, to achieve a particular policy objective, provided that overall the authority is able to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of S166A.
Bassetlaw District Council will use local lettings policy with the objective to create a sustainable community in order to minimise anti-social behaviour, reduce turnover and void time and create long term homes for people in housing need.
Local Lettings Policies may be used to:
- Deal with concentrations of deprivation to create more mixed communities
- Deal sensitively with lettings in rural areas
- Deal with areas where anti-social behaviour is prevalent
- Improve the sustainability of an area/scheme
- Reduce a high turnover of empty properties
A recommendation for the implementation of a Local Lettings Policy can be made by the Neighbourhood Housing Officer, The Police, local residents, local councillors or other interested parties.
Where a Local Lettings Policy is recommended, this will be published separately and clearly identify:
- The number of properties that the Local Lettings Policy will cover
- Type of properties the Local Lettings Policy will cover
Where a recommendation is made for Local Lettings Policy statistical evidence must be provided to support the request for a Local Lettings Policy to the Service Manager (Housing) This could include but not limited to:
- Number of anti-social behaviour cases
- Type of anti-social behaviour
- Number of vacancies within a period
- Void costs
- Repair costs
- Household types within an area/scheme
- Details and type of criminal activity within an area/scheme
- Failed tenancies and the reason for the failure
The request for a Local Lettings Policy will provide details of the proposals to address the issues identified. These could include but not be limited to:
- A proportion or all applicants in employment
- Applicants who can provide satisfactory references
- Applicants with no criminal history or record of anti-social behaviour
- Applicants with a local connection to an area
- Applicants without dependent children
- Applicants which are not from preference bands
- Applicants over a certain age band
The request for a Local Lettings Policy will state what period of time the proposed Local Lettings Policy will be in operation.
Where the Service Manager (Housing) agrees the request for a Local Lettings Policy, Bassetlaw District Council will send a consultation letter detailing the proposals and giving a date of response to:-
- Residents in the proposed local lettings area
- The local Police
- Local Councillors
- Any local agencies operating in the area
Bassetlaw District Council will take account any comments/objections made to the Local Lettings Policy
If Bassetlaw District Council feels that in the light of comments/objections received, a meeting should be arranged to discuss proposed changes to obtain a finalised Local Lettings Policy.
If changes are made to the proposed Local Lettings Policy, following consultation, this will be re-submitted to the Service Manager (Housing), detailing the consultation which has taken place.
The final Local Lettings Policy will be publicised.
Advertisements of Properties
Advertisements for properties within the scope of the Local Lettings Policy will clearly state the allocations criteria.
Review of the Local Lettings Policy
The timescale of a Local Lettings policy will normally be for a 12-month period, after which a review must be undertaken. The Review will detail, (since implementation of the policy).
- Number of anti-social behaviour cases
- Type of anti-social behaviour
- Number of vacancies within a period
- Void costs
- Repair costs
- Household types within an area/scheme
- Details and type of criminal activity within an area/scheme
- Failed tenancies and the reason for the failure
The review will detail progress made against original objectives and submitted to the Service Manager (Housing) with a recommendation that it continues or that it has achieved its objectives and is no longer required.
Last Updated on Wednesday, May 8, 2024