Tadworth residents to review management of housing stock
In a bid to improve upon the quality of homes in the Tadworth Estate, local tenants and leaseholders are being asked to consider the option of a stock transfer.
It has been identified that overall Merton’s properties on the Tadworth Estate need improvements to ensure they not only meet the Government’s minimum Decent Homes Standard, but also meet tenants’ higher expectations of warm, energy efficient and attractive homes with modern amenities. The option of a stock transfer to a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) is a real opportunity for residents to secure increased investments for their homes well above the level, which Merton Council can offer.
Our preferred partner is east Surrey’s leading RSL, Raven Housing Trust, a body that already manages over 5,500 homes in the borough of Reigate and Banstead. Since 2002, when Reigate and Banstead Borough residents voted for the council to transfer its properties over to Raven, they have invested over £36 million to improve residents’ homes. The vast majority of their properties have received some sort of renovations, and more than 240 have been fully modernised.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, Councillor Diane Neil Mills, said:
“We are in a difficult budget position in that we do not have enough money to cover the cost of keeping our housing stock up to the standard that we feel our tenants deserve. Our council tenants have the right to live in well-maintained homes, in which both the tenants and the council take pride. Moving the council homes over to a Registered Social Landlord is the only current solution to bring about a significant improvement in the quality of the housing service that we provide.”
From 9 January through to March 2007 a show flat in Longfield Crescent, Tadworth will be open to local residents every Tuesday, from 9.30am – 4pm. It will give residents the chance to view some of the improvements that will be on offer and have their questions and issues dealt with face-to-face by a Merton representative.