Explaining Stock Transfer

Decent Homes standards

In 2000 the Government set an ambitious target that all social housing should be of a 'decent' by 2010. To be classed as 'decent', homes must meet high standards of insulation, weatherproofing and modern facilities.

Transferring homes

Many councils that own a lot of social housing do not have the money to upgrade all their homes to meet these standards. One of the options open to them is to transfer the ownership and management of some of their homes to housing associations that can guarantee the necessary investment.

Residents get the chance to vote on whether or not they want their homes to transfer from the council to the housing association. If residents vote in favour, and the transfer is agreed by the Housing Corporation, which regulates housing associations, the stock transfer is complete.

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