Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Housing (Cllr Bevan) responded to questions from panel members.  The following is a summary of the key issues discussed by the panel.

Members of the panel sought to assess whether homes within the Sheridan housing complex (N8) were on the reserve list and likely to upgraded within Decent Homes Programme.  The Cabinet member indicated that

Agreed: That a short note is circulated to the panel regarding Sheridan Housing (N8) and inclusion within the Decent Homes Programme.

The panel discussed the improvements being made to social housing within the Decent Homes Programme.  The panel sought further clarification as to whether individual homes that were assessed to need a range of improvements could have individual elements of this work prioritised for completion in the works schedule (e.g. a property may need a new kitchen and double glazing, but tenant would like to prioritise double glazing).

Agreed:That a short briefing to be provided to the panel on the Decent Homes Programme (works schedule and priorities).

The panel discussed the problem of ASB in social housing and the impact that this had on neighbouring local residents and communities.  The panel noted that there was a prescribed process that officers follow to resolve such problems, and depending on the circumstances of individual cases, this can be a lengthy process.  The panel noted that if the property had been sublet, the Council may need to obtain the consent of the named tenancy holder for appropriate enforcement action.

The panel noted the action that Homes for Haringey (HfH) has taken to indentify and remove those tenants that sublet their property as this is in contravention of their tenancy agreement.  It was noted that HfH undertakes systematic occupancy checks on around 20% of properties it manages per year.  In addition, the service will also investigate possible tenancy contraventions as identified by members of the public. 

The panel noted that there had been a significant increase in the identification and repossession of properties that had been sublet in Haringey: in 2011/12, 12 such properties were repossessed, though data for 2012/13 would suggest a threefold increase (27 cases at 9 months). 

Agreed:   The panel requested a short briefing on the occupancy check process and recent amendments made to make this process more robust.