Tenants say Yes to homes transfer

Stockport overspill estate tenants voted Yes to transferring their homes to a new landlord.

They will share a £26.75 million home improvement package over the next five years after giving a 75.8% Yes vote to Manchester City Council's proposal to switch ownership of around 1100 council homes to Mossbank Homes, a subsidiary of Mosscare Housing Ltd, a not-for-profit social landlord.

The result follows a four-week ballot involving tenants on eight estates. A total of 73.5% of tenants eligible to vote took part in the ballot.

Mossbank Homes will now start work to bring every home up to a Decent modern standard and to improve the local environment through a total investment of £46 million over 30 years.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive member for neighbourhood services, congratulated local tenant and resident group leaders who have worked successfully with Mosscare to deliver a successful transfer of the estates.

"Tenants have voted convincingly in favour of this switch," he said. "Mossbank Homes can now take on the exciting challenge of bringing every home up to the Decent standard that tenants rightly expect and deserve. With this vote Manchester City Council tenants in Stockport have ensured that they will have secure good quality social rented housing."

Mosscare Housing Chief Executive Pam Schwarz said: "We are delighted with the result and look forward to continuing our work with Stockport residents to deliver the improvements to their homes and neighbourhoods."

Following the successful ballot, Mossbank Homes will take ownership of the area's 1100 homes in spring 2008 and work is expected to start in tenants' homes almost immediately after that. This work will bring every home up to a decent modern standard and improve the local environment through a total investment of £46 million over 30 years.

Tenants will now receive the following improvements:

• A new fitted kitchen if their current kitchen is over five years old, together with vinyl flooring, tiling, redecoration and electrical upgrades. Tenants can choose from a range of kitchen styles and colours.
• A new bathroom suite if the current one is over five years old. Walk-in showers will be provided for those with mobility needs.
• New high quality and secure uPVC double glazed windows if the home does not have double glazing.
• Complete rewiring or upgrade of existing wiring, including extra sockets.
• An upgrade to make heating more reliable and energy efficient. Improvements to heating controls will cut bills and reduce carbon emissions.
• Loft and cavity wall insulation where possible.
• New high quality, secure front and back doors if needed.
• Improvements to flats, including installing intercom door entry systems and upgrading lighting and decoration.
• An extra range of improvements to choose from, including electric fire and surround, burglar alarm, shower over bath, garden patio and garden shed.

Media contact:

Martin Hellewell, tel 0161 234 3729