Housing policies

These policies are provided to help you understand our work as a landlord and to assist you to successfully manage your tenancy.

Access policy

The access policy outlines access procedures for Swindon Borough Council regarding repairs, inspections, and safety checks, emphasizing tenants’ responsibilities to grant access, lawful and exceptional entry conditions, and potential legal actions for non-compliance.

Acquisitions policy

The acquisitions policy sets out the different methods of acquisition, how the Council will assess housing need for acquisitions, and the criteria for decision-making when pursuing or rejecting each acquisition opportunity.

Allocations policy

The allocations policy outlines how we determine priorities and define the procedures to be followed in allocating housing accommodation.

Anti-social behaviour policy

The anti-social behaviour policy outlines how we respond to reports and incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB). 

Asbestos policy

The asbestos policy informs our Cabinet, Corporate Management Team, colleagues, partners, and tenants to ensure all are clear on our legal and regulatory asbestos management safety obligations. This policy provides the framework our colleagues and partners will operate to meet these obligations.

Competence and conduct policy

The competence and conduct policy outlines the Council’s approach to managing and developing the skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours of Housing colleagues, and how this is tailored to different roles.

Damp and mould policy

The damp and mould policy outlines our approach to reports and incidents of damp and mould within our housing stock. 

Decommissioning policy

The decommissioning policy sets out the approach we will take to moving council tenants to a new permanent home, where a decision has been made to decommission the property, meaning that the tenant and their family are required to move out of their current residence permanently.

Domestic abuse policy

The domestic abuse policy describes how we will assist tenants, or anyone living in a council property, who is experiencing domestic abuse.

Electrical safety policy

The electrical safety policy informs our Cabinet, Corporate Management Team, colleagues, partners, and tenants to ensure all are clear on our legal and regulatory electrical safety obligations. This policy provides the framework our colleagues and partners will operate to meet these obligations.

End of tenancy policy

The end of tenancy policy outlines how we assist tenants who are considering ending their tenancy, ensuring it is legally terminated, and the property left in a reasonable condition. 

Fire safety policy

The fire safety policy informs our Cabinet, Corporate Management Team, colleagues, partners, and tenants to ensure all are clear on our legal and regulatory fire safety obligations. This policy provides the framework our colleagues and partners will operate to meet these obligations.

Heating and hot water policy

This policy outlines our approach to safety and compliance relating to heating and hot water safety within our housing stock. 

HHSRS policy

The HHSRS policy informs our Cabinet, Corporate Management Team, colleagues, partners, and tenants to ensure all are clear on our legal and HHSRS obligations. This policy provides the framework our colleagues and partners will operate to meet these obligations.

Lift safety policy

The lift safety policy informs our Cabinet, Corporate Management Team, colleagues, partners, and tenants to ensure all are clear on our legal and regulatory lift safety obligations. This policy provides the framework our colleagues and partners will operate to meet these obligations.

Mutual exchange policy

The mutual exchange policy describes the way we support tenants to meet their housing needs, moving closer to work, family members and / or specific services by exchanging their home. 

Repairs and maintenance policy

The repairs and maintenance policy describes how we provide repairs and maintenance services to our tenants, including emergency repairs outside of regular operating hours.

Right to review policy

The right to review policy describes the three situations that give rise to a tenant, on whom a notice has been served, having a right to request a review of the decision (absolute ground for possession for anti-social behaviour (ASB), introductory tenancies and flexible tenancies).

Rough sleeper policy

The rough sleeper policy outlines our approach to individuals found rough sleeping in Swindon and those that may be at risk of rough sleeping in Swindon. Preventing and responding quickly to those rough sleeping is a priority for the Council’s Housing and Homelessness services.

Sheltered housing guest room policy

This policy outlines our approach to the use of the guest rooms and guest flats within our Sheltered Housing Schemes. 

Stock condition policy

The stock condition policy outlines how the Council will assess, monitor, and manage the condition of its council-owned housing stock through a planned Stock Condition Survey.

Tenancy sustainment policy

The tenancy sustainment policy describes the ways we will support tenants and future tenants to obtain assistance, and the ways we will try to support a tenant that is having difficulty sustaining their tenancy.

Give feedback about this page

Help us to improve this website

Use this form to provide feedback on this webpage. Don't use it to contact us about a service or make a complaint. We will not reply, even if you include personal details such as your name and address. If you want us to reply, you should contact us in a different way.

What is your feedback for this webpage?