Westminster Council gives lifetime tenancies to all its social housing residents

Westminster City Council will be shifting to lifetime tenancies for all council tenants after its previous strategy of flexible fixed-term agreements resulted in “limited” success in freeing up homes.

All new and existing tenants will be granted secure lifetime tenancies over the next year and urged housing providers to take a similar approach.

The policy change follows a public consultation in March which saw 84 per cent of 344 respondents back the move. An overwhelming number — 72 per cent — were council tenants, 69 per cent of whom were on flexible fixed-term tenancies.

The decision was approved by councillor Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council, on 29 May.

Since 2013, tenants have been placed on a flexible fixed term-tenancy which is reviewed every five years. According to the council, this was meant to enable a more efficient use of social housing stock and address under occupation, partly by ensuring those who no longer needed social housing were not living there for years after they should have moved elsewhere.

But the council found “limited evidence” to suggest this had been achieved. Leader of the opposition, Cllr Paul Swaddle, said he fears the scheme will result in wealthy Londoners staying in council homes.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “This is not right. Council housing is needed to support the most in need, and should be prioritised.”

Westminster Council said the shift will offer tenants greater stability by providing them a long-term home they can rely on. They have also proposed maintaining existing rent levels, tenancy rights and housing services.

According to a council spokesperson the authority already has the powers it needs to take action and end tenancies if they deem someone no longer qualifies, and this will not be impacted by the introduction of lifetime tenancies. There is nothing in law or its tenancy agreements covering income thresholds for existing secure tenants, flexible or otherwise.

Cllr Hug said: “We’re giving our residents the long-term security they deserve. A safe, stable home is the foundation for building a stronger community — and this change ensures tenants can plan for their futures with peace of mind.

“There will be no changes to rent, tenancy rights or the services residents receive and the council will work with tenants to ensure a smooth transition.”

It comes as the Renters Rights Bill proposes axing shorthold tenancies. If enacted, this will prevent housing providers from offering flexible fixed term tenancies. The council said many providers have already ditched them.

Westminster City has approximately 28,000 social homes, accounting for just over 28 per cent of all housing in the area, according to a council document. Around 57 per cent of these properties are owned by approximately 40 housing associations, while the remaining 43 per cent are council owned.

According to the council only two out of the 2,500 flexible tenancies in Westminster have not been renewed meaning the switch will make virtually no difference to housing stock.

Demand for social housing is high with 5,200 households on the housing waiting list but only around 700 lettings available each year. The majority — 66 per cent — of those on the list are homeless, and homelessness continues to rise across Westminster and London.

Westminster Council decision: Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy.

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