Under-Occupation Clause in Council's New Fixed-Term Tenancies

The London borough of Barnet believes it is the first local authority to sign tenants up to new fixed-term tenancies - of between two and five years - but warns they will not normally be renewed where a tenant is under-occupying by one room or more.  The Conservative-run authority - through its 15,000-home ALMO, Barnet Homes - plans to offer single people under the age of 25 (excluding care leavers), introductory tenancies of one year followed by tenancies which will be reviewed every two years.  This, despite the new regulatory framework for social housing in England stipulating that tenancies below five years should be offered in "exceptional circumstances". The majority of new tenants in Barnet, however, will be offered 12 month introductory tenancies followed by a flexible tenancy of five years.  Read more on the borough of Barnet website.