News

Bill to make allocation of housing association homes fairer

27th of January 2012

In the last couple of days Mr Frank Field MP has introduced a new ‘Ten Minute rule’ bill promoting “fairness” in the allocation of housing association properties. The key proposals are:
• That [‘bad’] tenants/families get housed, but only after those families who, work hard, and whose children do not cause a problem, have selected the houses they would like.
• To give tenants [neighbouring the allocated property] the right to be told about the conduct of new tenants and have the right to object.
• New tenants will have to be told why the previous tenants vacated their tenancy.

Mr Field summarised his proposals thus ……….. “My Bill will put housing associations on the same footing as owner occupiers wishing to sell. A homeowner, plagued by anti-social behaviour, has to inform potential buyers of such information, or face the possibility of being sued for misrepresentation. The same law will apply for housing associations.”

Mr Field's bill was granted a second reading on 30 March although it is thought unlikely to become law due to pressures on parliamentary time.

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