prj_OSH_10468 - LB Newham - Housing Concession

The London Borough of Newham is carrying out a major regeneration project and so a number of void council properties will become available on a short-term basis. The Council wishes to engage with the market and seek views on its strategy to make best use of these properties. This engagement is designed to help the Council form a view of the best way to proceed and explore options for interim housing tenancy management of these properties. This is not the beginning of a tender exercise. A further contract or concession notice will be issued at the appropriate time if the Council decides to hold a tender exercise.

At present, the Council's proposals for the properties are as follows:

• The properties should be refurbished and maintained by the contractor (if required) to meet minimum statutory standard required for private rented sector properties.

• The contractor will be granted individual leases for each property of a duration from 6 months to 3 years depending upon the planned progress of the regeneration in that particular area. The properties will be let by the contactor to tenants on an assured shorthold tenancy for periods covering the agreement.

• The numbers of properties that will be assigned cannot be confirmed currently but are anticipated to be around 50 to 300 at any one time.

• The Council will nominate applicants for the properties and the contractor would accept all such nominations if properties were available. It is envisaged that these nominees will be considered as homeless households by the council

• The contractor will be expected to deliver to their tenants a good standard of customer care regarding reactive repairs, rent payments, signposting regarding benefits and ongoing tenant liaison.

• The rents to be charged will be calculated using Registered Provider rates and will be less than market rent. The concession revenue will be a percentage of the rental income obtained by the contractor (actual percentage yet to be decided).

• The Council may terminate any or all leases entered by given written notice giving at least 12-weeks' notice. At the end of this period, the contractor must return the property to the Council with vacant possession.

Please submit your views, suggestions and comments on these proposals to the Council at Russell.bryan@newham.gov.uk by no later than 28th February 2018.