Overview

This bill aims to protect social housing tenants facing threats to their safety by guaranteeing them a new secure tenancy if they need to move. It ensures continuity of tenancy and places responsibilities on local authorities and social housing providers to facilitate this.

Description

The bill amends the Housing Act 1985. It introduces a new right for social housing tenants in England to be offered a new secure tenancy of equivalent terms if a local housing authority is satisfied that a threat to the personal safety of the tenant or someone in their household necessitates a move. This threat includes violence from domestic abuse (even if the perpetrator doesn't live at the same address), escalating neighbour disputes, or targeted youth/gang violence. The local authority must consider relevant police advice when assessing the threat. If the tenant needs to move to an area outside their current landlord's reach for safety, the bill mandates cooperation between social housing landlords (local authorities and registered social landlords) to find suitable alternative accommodation.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. However, it may lead to increased costs for local authorities and social housing providers in finding and providing alternative accommodation for tenants needing to relocate due to safety concerns. The exact financial impact will depend on the number of cases requiring relocation.

Groups Affected

• Social housing tenants: The bill directly benefits tenants facing threats to their safety by guaranteeing a continued secure tenancy, ensuring their safety and housing stability.
• Local housing authorities: They have a duty to assess threats, provide new tenancies, and cooperate with other social housing providers.
• Registered social landlords: They are also obliged to cooperate with local authorities to ensure that tenants facing safety threats can access alternative accommodation.
• Police: Their advice will be crucial in determining the validity of safety threats and informing the decision-making process.

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