Housing Association Selling Property

t279

Hi,
I have been a tenant with a housing association for just over 10 years. I live in an area that has a large amount of georgian properties. 

Last week a neighbour in another block told me that a property on our street had been sold by the landlord. Each property has three flats & the tenants had been either rehoused or had moved themselves. 

This was the first I had heard of it. So I contacted my housing officer & was told the ‘strategy team’ had been identifying properties that are currently only occupied by one tenant & as well as being rehoused by the landlord in the same area I would be given £6100 & my removals would be paid for. I felt like I was listening to a sales pitch!

Firstly, like a lot of other places, affordable housing is in great demand &  I had to wait seven years to get my flat. In the past two months, the two tenants who lived in my block have left (not by the landlord), but my housing officer has said the strategy team are currently looking at mine.

if the purpose was because the property was being renovated or had to have essential works carried out, that could not happen with a tenant living there, that would be understandable,  but this isn’t that type of situation it is because the landlord wants to capitalise on housing stock it inherited when it became a housing association.

I am happy where I live & have good neighbours in the same street. I have an assured short hold tenancy agreement. 

I’d really appreciate it if anyone could tell me what options I have.

Apologies for the long post. 

Thanks

HampshireH

You have an assured shorthold tenancy for a reason.

Housing associations who are options appraising or regenerating stock will use ASTs to ensure that they can get the property back quicker. They are also used in temporary accommodation.

It isn't an assured tenancy so they can move you on by serving notice and can offer you an alternative but if you choose not to take it that's your choice.

So yes you can decline but you don't have an assured tenancy. You currently do not have all of the same rights as those with an assured tenancy (succession, mutual exchange, lifetime tenancy). Although some apply to fixed term tenancies. 

Do you have an AST because you are in temporary accommodation or is it a fixed term tenancy for 5 years (as an example)

If the latter they have to honour the fixed term hence relocating you if they sell 

Recommended asking for a meeting with your housing officer and or the housing options team at your local council

Edit: Just re read and it Seems odd you have an AST after 10 years with them.

t279

Thanks for your replies.

 I am a tenant of Onward Homes Ltd, they are a relatively new housing association (comprised of housing associations from the North West)

I had to sign a new tenancy agreement when they took over. I know on my original tenancy agreement with Liverpool Housing Trust, I had the right to buy after a three year period. 

I have ADHD & other health issues so organisation Is not my forte. I have asked my landlord to send me a copy of my tenancy agreement. 

Once again, thanks for your advice.

maisie_cat

Older social housing, often inherited council housing stock, is both expensive to maintain and more valuable than more modern stock. Selling it is a win win, tenants complain about older stock and they cost a fortune to maintain and heat.
When I worked in social housing an entire road was sold to a developer and the proceeds used to fund new builds, increasing the number of properties available for rent. 

HampshireH

t279 said:

Thanks for your replies.

 I am a tenant of Onward Homes Ltd, they are a relatively new housing association (comprised of housing associations from the North West)

I had to sign a new tenancy agreement when they took over. I know on my original tenancy agreement with Liverpool Housing Trust, I had the right to buy after a three year period. 

I have ADHD & other health issues so organisation Is not my forte. I have asked my landlord to send me a copy of my tenancy agreement. 

Once again, thanks for your advice.

Check your tenancy. I doubt it is an AST. The figures you cite for displacement costs etc are most likely for an Assured tenant.

If you had he right to buy before they took the stock on they cannot demote your tenancy to an AST 

t279

Thanks, hopefully I’m worrying about nothing. They haven’t formally approached me yet. I will check on the type of agreement I previously had