Yorkshire Housing is considering whether to sign up all new customers on Starter Tenancies.
We would like to know what you think about this proposal.
To help you give your feedback, we have put together an overview of what stater tenancies are, and what they could mean for tenants.
What are starter tenancies?
Starter tenancies have been designed to help tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB). Yorkshire Housing will not have to go to court to evict a starter tenant, making evictions less expensive.
Starter tenants have fewer rights than established tenants and will only acquire full security and full rights after 12 months.
We already use starter tenancies, but only in a few places and for a small number of new customers. We want to expand this to include all new Yorkshire Housing customers.
Arguments in favour of starter tenancies for all new tenants
Starter tenancies are a recognized and effective tool for stopping ASB which can occur anywhere – not just in established ‘hot spots’.
Evicting a secure tenant is very expensive, we can better use our limited resources.
New customers have to earn their rights and security and demonstrate over 12 months they are responsible members of the community.
A universal scheme doesn’t stigmatise any particular scheme or street.
Arguments against starter tenancies for all new tenants
A universal scheme treats new tenants differently to their neighbours.
The majority of new customers do not cause any problems and might feel like they are being penalised.
Starter tenancies might place vulnerable customers at higher risk of eviction.
A universal scheme might give Yorkshire Housing a bad image generally.
How will Yorkshire Housing operate starter tenancies?
A starter tenant will not be treated differently from other tenants.
Every starter tenant will be fully briefed when signed up and given a leaflet explaining starter tenancies.
They will be visited at home within the first 6 weeks (vulnerable customers will be visited more frequently).
Reports of tenancy breaches will be professionally investigated, and tenants will have a right of appeal against legal action - a judge can scrutinise any eviction process.
How do we propose safeguarding the rights of vulnerable customers?
We will make sure we know about all vulnerabilities from the beginning and we will:
- regularly visit vulnerable customers,
- work with local support agencies,
- get advice & support from our own Care & Support Team,
- investigate complaints swiftly and fairly,
- fully comply with the Equality Act 2010,
- have a member of our Care & Support Team on the Appeal Panel,
- and extend the length of the tenancy if required.
Starter Tenancies Survey
If you have a view on any of these issues, we’d like to know what you think.