Frequently Asked Questions

1 WHAT DECISION HAS THE COUNCIL MADE ABOUT ITS HOUSING?
In November 2008, Council's Cabinet (the Council's decision making body) considered a report outlining the findings of it's option appraisal work. The report included feedback from our tenants consultation group (the Housing Futures Customer Group) and councillors. Cabinet agreed with the report that, at this time, the only way forward to get the much-needed money to invest in properties and services is to stock transfer.

We are proposing to transfer because of a lack of money. Staying as we are (with Tristar Homes managing and maintaining homes on the Councils behalf) would not bring in the necessary money needed to maintain homes at their current standard or make the improvements that tenants have told us they want for the future.

This desicion was recently supported by tenants in a ballot organised and managed by the Electoral Reform Service on behalf of the Council and Tristar Homes. 89.6% of those tenants who voted, voted in favour of transfer. (The full result in available on our Future of Council Homes page).

2 WHAT IS TRANSFER?
A Stock Transfer results in the transfer of ownership and management of all Council owned properties to a social housing organisation (often known as a housing association).

In September 2009 the Cabinet approved a proposal that Tristar Homes would be changed from an Arm's Length Management Organisation into a not-for-profit housing association, registered with the Tenant Services Authority as a provider of social housing. As a result of tenants voting in favour of transfer, homes will now be transferred to the new-style Tristar Homes which will then own homes, as well as manage them.

3 WHAT IS A HOUSING ORGANISATION?
Housing organisations are run on a 'not-for-profit' basis. A management board is set up to have responsibility for the overall management of the organisation. the "new-style" Tristar Homes board will be made up of one-third local tenants, one-third local Councillors and the remaining third independent board members.

4 WHO WOULD PROVIDE SERVICES TO TENANTS?
Services to tenants will mainly be provided by the people who provide services now. This means that there will be very little disruption to services when transfer goes ahead. Tenants will still see the same staff when they request services.

5 HOW WILL THE MONEY SECURED BY TRANSFER BE SPENT?
The money will be spent on:
- Bringing homes up to a consistent standard across the Borough and maintaining    this standard - This standard will be known as the "Tristar Standard", a much higher standard than the current 'Decent Homes' standard.
- Improving service delivery.
- Investing more money in services that matter to tenants e.g. tackling anti-social behaviour.
- Investing in local neighbourhoods e.g. carrying out environmental improvement works such as car parking, fencing and lighting.

6 WILL TENANTS HAVE TO MOVE?
No. You will not have to move home when transfer goes ahead.

7 WILL RENTS GO UP?
Tenants will not pay any more in rent than they would if homes stayed with the Council. The Government has introduced a rent restructuring programme which is aimed at ensuring that all current tenants would pay the same amount of rent, for a similar sized property, in the same area. For example, a tenant renting a three-bedroom Council house would pay the same as a tenant renting a three-bedroom house, in the same area, from a housing organisation.

Remember, when transfer goes ahead, tenants will get more for their money as extra investment will be available for homes and services.

8 WILL  TENANTS STILL BE ABLE TO CLAIM HOUSING BENEFIT?
Yes. Tenants will still be able make a claim for Housing Benefit. This right will not be affected by the transfer.

9 WILL TENANTS STILL BE ABLE TO BUY THEIR OWN HOME?
Yes. If tenants are eligible to buy their home now with the Council, they will still be able to buy their home under what is called the Preserved Right-to-Buy scheme. They will not lose any discount entitlement as a result of transfer.

10 WILL TENANTS' OTHER RIGHTS BE PROTECTED?
Tenants will keep the main rights* that they have now as a Council tenant. They will be protected and included in a new legally binding Tenancy Agreement.

*The Right to Manage will be the only right not to be included in the new Tenancy Agreement.

11 IS TRANSFER A NEW IDEA?
No. More than one million homes, owned by over 200 Councils, have transferred. This has resulted in more than £14 billion being invested in homes since the first transfer in 1988. Locally transfer has taken place in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Redcar and Cleveland, Sedgefield, Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, and Hambleton.

For further information on housing futures call the Council's Free phone information line on: 0800 432 0891 or e-mail housing.futures@stockton.gov.uk