The Kirklees Council has decided to amend the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement for its social housing tenants.

URL: https://democracy.kirklees.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=12917

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Kirklees Council provides social housing to c.21,500 tenants across the Kirklees District. The Tenancy Agreement is the legal contract between Kirklees Council and its tenants. It details the tenant’s rights and responsibilities, and the Council’s rights and responsibilities as the Landlord.   Under Section 102/103 of the Housing Act 1985 the Council has recently undertaken statutory consultation regarding the proposed amendments to Kirklees Council’s Tenancy Agreement.   Background papers Preliminary Notice of Variation to Tenancy Agreement to tenants. Kirklees Council, Draft Revised Tenancy Agreement.   Background information The proposal to vary the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement was reported to the Tenant Led Panel on the 26 March 2025. Prior to the Preliminary Notice of the proposed variation being sent to tenants, the Tenant Led Panel were provided with information about the proposed changes at a meeting held on the 9 April 2025.   Cllr Crook, Deputy Leader & Transport and Housing has been provided with information about the proposal to vary the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement at Portfolio Holder Briefings held on the 4 March 2025 and the 27 May 2025.   A full consultation exercise with tenants has been undertaken. The details of this is outlined in the ‘Consultation’ section.   The proposed variation to the Tenancy Agreement has been drafted following support and advice from Kirklees Councils, Legal Services.   There is a statutory duty under Section 103 Housing Act 1985 to consult all tenants likely to be affected by a change in an area of housing management. The variation to the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement requires a full tenant consultation exercise and all tenants (circa 21,500) have been notified in writing of the proposed changes.     Tenants were sent a Preliminary Notice of the proposed variations to the Tenancy Agreement, and this outlined the proposed changes. A set of frequently asked questions was also provided.   The statutory consultation period with tenants commenced on the 14 April 25 and tenants were invited to comment on the proposed changes. The consultation period has remained open to capture as much feedback from tenants as possible.   Tenants could provide feedback in the following ways:   ·       By completing a questionnaire via a dedicated consultation webpage on the Council website ·       By e-mail ·       By completing a feedback form at the back of the Preliminary Notice and posting this to the Council ·       By telephone ·       Face to face with Housing Management staff   A summary of the feedback received from tenants has been incorporated into the Cabinet Report.   A brief for all Members was circulated at the commencement of the consultation period with tenants.  

Content: Kirklees Council provides social housing to c.21,500 tenants across the Kirklees District. The Tenancy Agreement is the legal contract between Kirklees Council and its tenants. It details the tenant’s rights and responsibilities, and the Council’s rights and responsibilities as the Landlord.   Under Section 102/103 of the Housing Act 1985 the Council has recently undertaken statutory consultation regarding the proposed amendments to Kirklees Council’s Tenancy Agreement.   Background papers Preliminary Notice of Variation to Tenancy Agreement to tenants. Kirklees Council, Draft Revised Tenancy Agreement.   Background information The proposal to vary the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement was reported to the Tenant Led Panel on the 26 March 2025. Prior to the Preliminary Notice of the proposed variation being sent to tenants, the Tenant Led Panel were provided with information about the proposed changes at a meeting held on the 9 April 2025.   Cllr Crook, Deputy Leader & Transport and Housing has been provided with information about the proposal to vary the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement at Portfolio Holder Briefings held on the 4 March 2025 and the 27 May 2025.   A full consultation exercise with tenants has been undertaken. The details of this is outlined in the ‘Consultation’ section.   The proposed variation to the Tenancy Agreement has been drafted following support and advice from Kirklees Councils, Legal Services.   There is a statutory duty under Section 103 Housing Act 1985 to consult all tenants likely to be affected by a change in an area of housing management. The variation to the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement requires a full tenant consultation exercise and all tenants (circa 21,500) have been notified in writing of the proposed changes.     Tenants were sent a Preliminary Notice of the proposed variations to the Tenancy Agreement, and this outlined the proposed changes. A set of frequently asked questions was also provided.   The statutory consultation period with tenants commenced on the 14 April 25 and tenants were invited to comment on the proposed changes. The consultation period has remained open to capture as much feedback from tenants as possible.   Tenants could provide feedback in the following ways:   ·       By completing a questionnaire via a dedicated consultation webpage on the Council website ·       By e-mail ·       By completing a feedback form at the back of the Preliminary Notice and posting this to the Council ·       By telephone ·       Face to face with Housing Management staff   A summary of the feedback received from tenants has been incorporated into the Cabinet Report.   A brief for all Members was circulated at the commencement of the consultation period with tenants.   RESOLVED -  That the variation to the Council’s Tenancy Agreement be approved, to take effect from Monday 18 August 2025.

Date of Decision: July 8, 2025