A single tenancy presents opportunities to iron out the differences and anomalies between the different forms of tenure as they exist at present, to introduce better and more simplified arrangements for landlords, to encapsulate the whole range of existing rights for tenants and to enhance tenants’ rights in many key areas. A single tenancy will remove the fears for tenants over transfer and assist the Executive in its drive to promote community ownership as a key element of social inclusion.
The consensus favours a single tenancy agreement based on the Model Secure Tenancy Agreement (MoSTA), embodying core statutory rights for all social housing tenants with provision for variation to be made to include additional rights within the contract between landlord and tenant.
Work will be required on the detail of the new single social tenancy to cover matters such as succession rights, repossession and the right to participation.
We would propose to commission from a legal expert a model agreement based on MoSTA but with enhanced core rights. We plan to convene a small working group to oversee the development of the model.
Primary legislation would be required to bring about the statutory Single Social Tenancy. We propose that the main provision would be as detailed in the model single social tenancy agreement which would set out the minimum or core requirement. It is envisaged that this would be incorporated in the forthcoming Housing Bill.
FORWARD PROGRAMME
Stage 1 Commission Model Tenancy Agreement, December 1999
Stage 2 Convene Working Group to report by Spring 2000
Stage 3 Housing Bill, Autumn 2000
Stage 4 Possible commencement of the new statutory Single Social Tenancy
by Autumn 2001