Tenants vote on housing transfer

Tenants who want to have their say about the future landlord of council houses in Copeland have until Tuesday to return their ballot papers.

Copeland is the latest authority in Cumbria to consider transferring housing stock to a social landlord.

Government rules on lending money for council house repairs have changed.

It means that social landlord can access money to upgrade homes while the local authority cannot.

Housing repairs

Copeland wants to transfer it's 4,000 strong housing stock to the Newcastle-based Copeland Homes - a not for profit landlord.

The council says if tenants vote "yes" it means the £58m worth of repairs, renovations and upgrades that are needed will happen more quickly.

There must be a clear majority of tenants voting in favour of the new arrangement.

Carlisle and Allerdale councils have already transferred their housing stock.