The new landlord of thousands of former council homes has made a promise to all their tenants to go on a £220 million pound spending spree. Neath Port Talbot Homes have also made a pledge to increase tenant involvement, promote welfare rights and make tackling antisocial behaviour on its estates a priority.
Nearly 400 Neath Port Talbot Council workers have been moved across to Neath Port Talbot Homes who took over responsibility for 94,000 council properties at the weekend. The move follows what was a controversial ballot of tenants in 2010 on whether or not the change should take place, with a view to bringing all council properties up to the Quality Standard of the Welsh Housing Assembly. Neath Port Talbot Homes are now fully responsible for both managing and maintaining the housing stock.
NPT Homes Chairman Roger Williams said “Tenants have placed a great deal of trust in us as a board and we are committed to delivering on all of the promises set out in the offer document.
“NPT Homes is now one of Wales’s largest social landlords. As a community housing mutual, tenants will have a real say on how the organisation is run and how together we can make a difference to the homes and the areas in which they live. We are looking forward to creating and sustaining great homes and great communities in the Neath Port Talbot area.”
NPT Homes, who will cover all the properties with landlord insurance, has said they will make the multi million pound investment over the next six years. The council staff, that has transferred, will remain in the existing offices until NPT Homes can find a suitable new location. The transfer has been classed as the most significant change to take place in the history of council housing in the Neath Port Talbot area.