Purpose

A
tenancy strategy to set out the kinds and circumstances for different types of tenancies
that should be provided to social rented housing tenants, including
arrangements for fixed term tenancies, for registered providers which hold stock
in the Dorset local authority area, to pay attention to when formulating their tenancy
policies.

Content

(a)          
That the Dorset Council Tenancy Strategy 2026 –
2031 be approved.

 

(b)          
That the relevant part of section 5.3 of the
Tenancy Strategy be amended as follows:

 

 

“We welcome an approach where any breaches of tenancy (for
example rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and damaging property) are dealt
with under the normal possession process, allowing a court to consider the
case. We expect registered providers to avoid including tenant rent arrears in
decisions on tenancy renewals. We expect registered providers to prioritise
other methods to resolve rent arrears.

 

We also expect registered providers to avoid including
complaints due to antisocial behaviour in decisions on tenancy renewals. In
exceptional circumstances, if registered providers do consider non-renewal of
tenancy because of antisocial behaviour, we expect that community care needs
(e.g. social care needs, domiciliary care needs, health care needs, etc.) are
included in any assessment.”

 

Reason for the decision

 

This strategy fulfilled the council’s legal obligations
under The Localism Act 2011 by explaining its expectations and outlining the
approach the council would like Registered Providers to take when creating
their own tenancy policies.