Carlisle tenants accept house transfer

Private housing associations can raise money for repairs

Tenants of 7,000 council houses in Carlisle have voted to transfer their homes to a private landlord.

Carlisle City Council had asked tenants to decide who they wanted to take over responsibility for its housing stock.

A month-long postal ballot was held.

The ballot closed at midday on Friday with 52% in favour of the transfer.

Borrow money

Government rules make it difficult for local authorities to access money for repairs and maintenance.

The council says the tansfer will allow much-needed repair work to be carried out on the stock, as private housing associations can borrow money from the private sector.

Tenants in Glasgow and Liverpool have voted to take their homes out of council ownership, but Birmingham rejected the option.

'Rent rises'

Carlisle City Council asked the Riverside Group, which is based in Liverpool, if it would like to take over the city's 7,000 houses.

The group now hopes to take over the homes in December and start a major improvement programme.

In return it will offer investment in council housing and clear much of the city's housing debt.

Opponents of the plan had said the council would lose one of its most important responsibilities and tenants would face rent increases.