New council tenancy question is it secure ?

apricotsunday

I hope someone can help I have just been offered a new flat from Wesminster council I was previously homeless and in temporary accomodation. Nobody can give a straight answer to my question at the council which is : will my new home be for life ? Or as I have tried to research that it will be a five year term reviewed ? I really cannot be doing with having to maybe move after five years after all this time of uncertainty? Is this new plan actually in place right now or has it yet to be introduced ?
Many thanks

BigAunty

5 years is around 10 times longer than the average tenancy in the private sector....

Did you get a tenancy contract and what does it say?

If you got a property managed by Citywest homes (they manage Westminster's council housing stock), there's a tenancy handbook with your rights in it published on their website.

http://www.cwh.org.uk/leaflet-rack/

Where do you get the idea that your tenancy is for 5 years duration, who has told you this or where is it published?

apricotsunday

I have been living in Westminster for over twenty years, and made my application to them, but this property is with Genesis ? I am not sure who they are and if I will still be a Westminster council tenant, the paper I was reading said that from 2013 they are ( or trying to not sure which) give tenants a five year lease and after that it will be reviewed and if your circumstances change they will then be able to move.

Notmyrealname

"A council house for life" is set to come to an end under changes the govt are planning but this is aimed more at moving single people out of 3 bed houses to free them up for families. I doubt you'll have much chance of being moved from a 1 or 2 bed flat.

BigAunty

Normally, I'd direct you to the tenant's handbook but they have 3 depending on the type of tenancy, including the 5 year fixed term tenancy you have enquired about. It's a shame that you aren't being informed which type of tenancy you will be offered. Ask Genesis? I take it you currently have a verbal offer and haven't been given the tenancy agreement yet?

http://www.genesisha.org.uk/residents/my_home/resident_handbooks.aspx

Fire_Fox

Welcome! Five years is a long time, your own circumstances may have changed by then. Or they may not and you can be offered another contract. It's far too early to be worrying about moving again, if you have anxiety you may want to consider getting your GP to review your case (not being rude, I have diagnosed mental health stuff myself).

propertyman

Westminster have not introduced 5 years tenancies.

The Localism Act 2011 in force this April permits this, however CoW are consulting on any changes until 14-11-12.

You may have a probationary tenancy of one year or you may have a secure tenancy(for life).

What does your tenancy document say?