Tenants say Yes to Eastlands Homes

Thousands of council tenants in East Manchester will benefit from major improvements to their homes after a vote in favour of transferring to Eastlands Homes.

Following a four-week ballot, tenants in Gorton North, Gorton South, Longsight, Rusholme, Levenshulme and part of Ardwick, have agreed to ownership of their homes being transferred from Manchester City Council to the not-for-profit housing association Eastlands Homes Partnership Ltd.

A resounding 80.7% of tenants who voted said yes to the transfer.

Eastlands Homes Partnership Ltd was specifically created as landlord for Council homes in Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw in 2003 and is now ranked as one of the top ten housing associations in the country.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "I am delighted that tenants have voted in favour of the transfer to Eastlands Homes because it will have a highly positive impact on these communities.

"It will release approximately £97 million for home improvements and around a further £13 million for environmental upgrading.

"Tenants will retain their security of tenure and all their other main rights will continue to be protected. Local tenants' representatives and local councillors will take seats on the main board of Eastlands Homes, giving local people a big say in the management of their homes for the future."

Improvements to the homes will include:

• New secure double glazed windows for every home that does not already benefit from double-glazing
• A new high quality fitted kitchen, if their existing one is over five years old, which will be designed with the tenant to meet their particular needs, plus new vinyl flooring, partial wall tiling and redecoration
• A new bathroom suite if the existing one is over five years old with an over bath shower, extractor fan wherever possible, new vinyl flooring, around bath tiling and redecoration
• A hand basin to any downstairs toilet that does not already have one
• New highly secure, high quality front and back doors where needed
• Rewiring wherever needed, additional sockets, and installation of smoke alarms and front and back security lights
• Upgrades to heating systems to improve efficiency
• Better energy saving through loft and wall insulation, and new heating controls where required
• Work to roofs and chimneys if needed to achieve the Decent Homes standard
• Communal areas will benefit from improved security, accessibility and lighting.

Media contact:

Juliet Appleby or Martin Hellewell, tel 0161 234 3237