FAQs - Proposed change of landlord

Here are some key FAQs regarding the proposed housing stock transfer with Connexus.

What is happening?

Wrekin owns your home and is your current landlord, meaning we receive rent and are responsible for maintaining your home. We are proposing to transfer your home to Connexus, which means they will become the new owner and your new landlord.

Why do you want to transfer my home?

We think it makes sense to transfer your home to a landlord who owns more properties in the area than we do; it means they are better able to service your home.

What you get with Wrekin

Wrekin is a “registered provider” who is regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, . You can find out more about the Regulator here

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/regulator-of-social-housing

We have to follow the rules and legislation which apply to registered providers. Principally because Wrekin is a registered provider your accommodation is classified as “social housing” this means that the Regulator’s Regulatory Standards apply to you and the Property. There are “Economic Standards” which apply to how Wrekin governs itself, maintains financial viability, provides value for money, and sets “rents”. And there are “Consumer Standards”. Those standards set out certain rules around, customer involvement, the repair and maintenance of homes and the rights residents have in tenancies and licenses.

There are seven standards in all: -

the Governance and Financial Viability Standard
the Value for Money Standard
the Rent Standard
the Tenant Involvement and Empowerment Standard
the Home Standard
the Tenancy Standard
the Neighbourhood and Community Standard.

Copies of the standards can be found here: -

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/regulatory-standards

The Regulator grades all registered providers for governance and viability, and Wrekin is graded “G1/V2”; G1 means that Wrekin meets the highest standards of the Regulator’s, and V2 means Wrekin meets the Regulator’s viability requirements, but reflects that our business plan includes increased development costs and additional investment in our homes, in the face of economic uncertainty .

You can read our current regulatory judgement here:

As a “registered provider” Wrekin is a member of the Housing Ombudsman’s scheme; details of that scheme can be found here.

What services would I get with Connexus?

Like Wrekin Connexus is a not for profit registered landlord so your rights remain the same. You can find out more about Connexus here

Like us Connexus is graded by the Regulator G1/V2 for similar reasons. You can read Connexus’ current regulator judgement here

What about my tenancy?

The type of tenancy you hold will not change. Your tenancy gives you a right to stay in your home in accordance with the terms of that agreement. If we sell your home to Connexus your tenancy would continue automatically and Connexus would become your new Landlord. Connexus will give you notice of the transfer. Should Connexus wish to offer you a new Tenancy Agreement with similar terms and conditions they will explain this and ask you to accept and sign it. This will ensure you enjoy similar terms and conditions as you do at present. The type of tenancy that you hold will not change. If you were to be issued with a new Tenancy Agreement this would be subject to consultation with you.

Will my rent or any other costs change?

Your rent is reviewed every year. A fixed formula which is set by the Government is used to calculate the annual rent change. The same formula must be used by Connexus. If you hold a secure tenancy, your rent will be reviewed in the same way that it is at present.

Your tenancy payment is made up of rent and service charge. This would continue to be paid in the same way as it is today.

Connexus, as a registered provider, must like Wrekin comply with the Regulator’s Rent Standard, which governs what rent can be charged, and by how much it can increase.

The terms of your tenancy agreement concerning your rent and service charge would continue to apply. Any existing rights to appeal the rent and service charge to have a new rent set at no more than market rate would also continue to apply.

If you qualify for housing benefit that would not change because of a change in the ownership of your home.

Connexus will offer a range of ways to pay your rent. They will work with Wrekin Housing Group to make the transition as smooth as possible.

What happens if I have an agreement to pay off my rent arrears?

If you are paying an agreed amount off your rent arrears each week, this agreement will continue with Connexus. Your rent arrears will transfer across, as will the repayment agreement.

Respect (Anti-Social Behaviour and Neighbours)

What will happen to any court action which is pending against a Wrekin Housing Group customer?

Any court action will continue as planned with Connexus instead of Wrekin Housing Group. Any diary sheets or evidence logs which have been completed and submitted to Wrekin Housing Group as part of an ongoing anti-social behaviour case will be transferred to Connexus so that they can continue to handle the case. There is no need for residents to start again with new diary sheets.

What will happen to the personal information that Wrekin Housing Group holds on file about me?

All of the files held by Wrekin Housing Group with regard to your personal information and tenancy will be given to Connexus to assist them to evaluate its purchase. Wrekin Housing Group will ensure that the potential new landlord will keep your personal information secure and will only use your personal information for the purposes set out in the Data Protection Policy in relation to the management and administration of your property and in any event in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Will I be able to get a transfer from Connexus to another landlord?

This will depend upon their Transfer Policy, and the agreed arrangements with local authorities and local choice-based letting schemes.

I have pets in my property at present; will they be able to stay with me?

Yes. Providing consent for having your pets was previously obtained and your current Tenancy Agreement reflects this. You will also need to continue to comply with any rules that Wrekin Housing Group gave you in regards to having those pets at your property. Any future requests to keep pets must be made to Connexus and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, as they are at the moment with Wrekin Housing Group

What do I do if I have a complaint?

Connexus like Wrekin must follow the Regulator’s Standards and ultimately this means if we do not put things right, you can make a complaint to the Housing Ombudsman.

Questions or Comments

If you have any further questions or comments regarding the possible change of landlord, please contact us on 01952 217048 or email consultdl@wrekin.com we will respond to all emails within 2 working days.