Assured tenancy agreement
The new agreement that tenants would get as tenants of THCH
Assured tenant
A new tenancy agreement with THCH you would make you an “assured tenant” as opposed to a “secure tenant” with the Council
Contractual Rights
Legal Rights given to tenants by the Tenancy Agreement
Cost Floor
The lowest price at which THCH could sell a property under preserved right to buy
Decent Homes
This is the new government standard for the quality of the country’s affordable housing. All homes must meet this standard by 2010, being wind and weather tight. The standard covers external items like roofs and internal items like kitchens and bathrooms
Electoral Reform Ballot Services
Independent highly experienced organisation that organises elections & ballots
Estate (The)
Mansford Estate
F.I.R.S.T. CALL
The Independent Advisor for Mansford Estate (see ITA)
Ground 11
Where a Court may grant an RSL landlord possession if a tenant persistently pays rent late, even if none is currently owned
Ground 8
Where a Court may grant an RSL landlord possession if tenant is at least 8 weeks in arrears
Housing Choice
Process whereby LBTH Estates may be transferred to a Registered Social Landlord, following a ballot of residents
Housing Corporation
Body which registers and supervises Registered Social Landlords
Housing Corporation
Government appointed body with responsibility for funding and regulating registered social landlords
Housing Management Services
The range of services from your landlord which includes grounds maintenance, repairs, rent collecting, etc
Independent Housing Ombudsman
An independent organisation that examines any complaints about your landlord. All internal complaints mechanisms have to be exhausted first
Independent Tenants (Residents’) Advisor (ITA)
In order that tenants are fully engaged in the consideration of options and if a council decides to pursue Stock Transfer it is recommended that residents should have access to an Independent Tenant Advisor (ITA) both before and after the ballot.
Inflation
The Retail Price Index (RPI) which is a figure issued by the government. Used by landlords in determining rent increases
Introductory Tenant
A tenant subject to an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement with reduced security of tenure and subject to 12 month review
LBTH
London Borogh of Tower Hamlets
Modern Homes
Bringing homes up to and above the Decent Homes Standard
New Tenants
Tenants who were not Council tenants resident in the area when the stock was transferred
Not for Profit Organisation
Usually a Charity or housing association with charitable status (e.g. THCH). While operating in a commercial environment, any surplus money is invested in providing more of its services.
ODPM
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Government Minister who is required to give his consent to a proposed transfer. Previously the Department of the Environment.
Offer Document
A legal and binding document issued by the Council to its tenants outlining its proposals for Mansford Estate
Preserved Right to Buy
If Mansford Estate transfers to an RSL, existing secure council tenants who have the Right to Buy would have this right preserved after transfer
Registered Social Landlord
= RSL
Rent to Mortgage
A bit like the right to buy, it offers council tenants the right to buy their home
Right to Acquire
Legal right given to RSL tenants to buy their own home
Right to Buy
The Government scheme that allows secure council tenants to buy their homes at a discount price. Various rules apply and the current discount available in London is £16,000
Right to Manage
All council tenants have the right to claim this. It is a government scheme that allows tenants to take control of the day to day management of their homes
RSL
A not for profit organisation (e.g. Housing Association) that offers homes at affordable rents to people with housing need
RSL
Registered Social Landord - generally, a Housing Association
Secretary of State
In our context, the Deputy Prime Minister
Secure by Design
Name given to the approval that is given by the police to estates designed (or re-designed) in a way that makes them more safe and more secure
Secure tenant
A tenant who has signed an agreement with their local authority landlord (e.g. Tower Hamlets) saying that their tenancy is permanent
Stage 1 consultation
The legal name given to the period of formal consultation when the Council asks tenants what they think of the proposals for the transfer of the (Mansford) Estate
Stage 2 consultation
The legal name given to the period where the council considers your views on its offer adds any amendments to it and then writes you a letter if there are any changes. By law there must be 28 days between you receiving that letter and the offer going to ballot. During this period you can make objections about the proposed transfer to the Secretary of State
Statutory Rights
Legal rights given to tenants by Act of Parliament
Succession
The right to pass on your home to someone else in your family/household who is living there, when you die
THCH
Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Tower Hamlets Community Housing
The proposed new landlord for Mansford Estate