Housing Management and Leasing Partners

Expressions of Interest sought for Private Sector Housing Management and Leasing

Wolverhampton City Council is seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced managers of residential property.  Expressions are invited from residential lettings agents, portfolio landlords, housing associations and other organisations with experience in the housing management field.

The Council has identified a number of owners of empty properties who would prefer an agent to manage their property and/or who are interested in long term leasing.

The Council has powers to enforce the proper management of properties when they are left empty for long periods or are not maintained and managed to an acceptable standard.

The Council is looking for suitable partners to manage properties for owners through both voluntary and enforced measures. The Council is considering a scheme that would operate on a number of levels;

Level 1 – The Council would direct owners of unoccupied properties to managing agents who are accredited by the Council

Accredited managing agents would ensure the property meets an agreed standard of initial condition and would ensure proper continued management and maintenance.

Level 2 - Voluntary lease scheme

The managing agent or the Council would guarantee rent for the owner for a 3 year (or longer) period. The owner would provide the property (at an agreed standard) to an accredited agent who would provide tenancy and property management. The Council may offer a rent supplement where accommodation is used to temporarily house vulnerable groups (such as homeless families). However, empty properties will include accommodation suitable for letting to a full spectrum of tenants. The Council would look to ‘break even’ on providing general needs housing.

Level 3 – Management orders

The Council has powers to take over the management of properties where the property is empty or poorly managed. In such circumstances the Council would be responsible for bringing the property up to the required standard, insurance and maintenance costs. All costs, including management would be recovered through the rent over a period of up to 7 years. 

The Council has some draft proposals in mind in order to measure the quality and cost of the expressions of interest. However, the Council is keen to develop partnerships with managing agents and expects the final arrangements to develop in consultation with the selected agents.

If you would like to register your interest and/or receive more details about the proposals, please contact:

Richard Long

Private Sector Housing Team

Wolverhampton City Council

Regeneration & Environment

Heantun House

Salop Street

Wolverhampton

WV3 0SQ.

Tel : 01902 551788

Fax : 01902 555704

Email : empty.properties@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Consultation with managing agents who have expressed an interest will begin in April 2008.