Changes have been made to Reading council tenancies for the first time in nearly 10 years.
Reading Borough Council is responsible for 5,833 homes it owns and manages, which include temporary accommodation.
The changes involve respecting all different lifestyle choices, evictions and hoardings.
These rules affect more than 5,000 households who have the council as their landlord.
The new agreement states that tenants must be tolerant of the different lifestyles of others, which covers race, religion, disability and sexual orientation.
The agreement mentions an ‘introductory tenancy’ for a 12-month ‘trial period’ who have fewer rights than a secure tenant and can be evicted more easily.
Also, in the circumstance when a council tenant dies, the tenancy can only be inherited by the wife, husband or civil partner of the previous tenant, and your home is bigger than you need.
That means the sons of daughters of council tenants cannot inherit their parents’ tenancy.
This happened to Gary Brookin, who had to move from his council family home after his mum died.
While the policy of the tenancy has not changed, the wording of the clause has been altered and some parts moved elsewhere for clarity.
The policy also states that a council will offer occupants another suitable home, and in certain circumstances will help with removal costs, pay compensation if you lose your home or are disturbed by repair work.
The changes were discussed at a recent council meeting.
Councillor Doug Cresswell (Green, Katesgrove) acknowledged that the tenancy agreement was last updated in 2016, prior to the Grenfell Tower disaster in June 2017.
He said: “This has been somewhat brought about in response to the Grenfell Tower fire.
“I had the privilege to visit the Grenfell Tower area two days after the fire and met local residents who told me how many of the causes of the tragedy had been predicted and fought against unsuccessfully.
“They were not listened to by Kensington & Chelsea council’s outsourced tenant management organisation.
“I think that we should be proud that, as a council that is a landlord to so many, keeps its services in-house and takes the responsibility of being a landlord seriously, as evidenced in this update.”
However, concern was raised about the policy on hoarding, defined as the excessive collection of items which could create a hazard.
Cllr Louise Keane (Green, Katesgrove) said: “I’m just a bit concerned that hoarding is a psychological, potentially mental health condition, I’m just worried about it being a punitive issue in this document.
“I get what it is saying, but I think it should be dealt with sympathetically.”
Natalie Waters, interim assistant director for housing landlord services, said: “It’s in there so we can protect other residents if there is a fire to make sure we are supporting that resident in every way we can.
“But there may become a position at last measure where we have to take legal action and go in to make that property safe.
“That would be our absolute last course of action. We totally recognise that as a vulnerability.”
Councillors approved the tenancy agreement at the meeting of its housing, neighbourhoods and leisure committee.
The tenancy agreements will be issued to tenants on Monday, September 15.
