Our vision - strategies and policies

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• Housing Strategy 2024-2029

  This strategy sets out our approach to making sure that everyone living in Dacorum has access to a safe, warm and affordable home. Through five commitments, each with agreed actions, we show how this can be delivered in collaboration with our partners.

  •  Housing Strategy 2024-2029 (PDF 1.4MB)
  •  Housing Strategy 2024-2029 accessible version (PDF 256KB)
• Get Involved Strategy 2020-2024

  This strategy sets out our commitments to listening to and working with residents, giving them a voice to influence housing service delivery.

   Get Involved Strategy - 2020-2024 (PDF 3.5MB)

• Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024

  The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy sets out how we as a housing service will consider the needs of homeless households and offer assistance to those who we have a statutory duty to support. It also details the approach taken to prevent homelessness within the borough.

   Prevention of Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy - 2020-2024 (PDF 4MB)

• Housing Income Management Strategy 2024-2029

  The Housing Income Management Strategy sets out how we will effectively manage our income. Its aim is to maximise collection whilst supporting our more vulnerable tenants, so that we can continue to provide high-quality services that meet the needs of all those who access the housing service.

  •  Housing Income Management Strategy 2024-2029 (PDF 190KB)
• Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2021-2024

  The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2021-2024 sets out the vision, priorities and financial position of the Housing Service.

   HRA Business Plan 2021-2024 (PDF 1.8MB)

• Interim Housing Asset Management Strategy 2024-2026

  This is our interim Housing Asset Management Strategy, which sets out our priorities over the next two years (2024 to 2026), and accompanying Action Plan.

  •  Interim Housing Asset Management Strategy 2024 - 2026 (PDF 421KB)
  •  Interim Housing Asset Management Strategy 2024-2026 - Action Plan (PDF 197KB)
• Private Sector Housing Strategy 2020-2024

  This strategy outlines our approach to regulating the private sector to ensure all Dacorum residents live in homes that are safe and meet the required standards.

   Private Sector Housing Strategy 2020-2024 (PDF 901KB)

• Tenancy Strategy 2024-2026

  We are committed to ensuring that local people have access to genuinely affordable homes. This strategy applies to all homes owned and managed by our housing service.

   Tenancy Strategy - 2024-2026 (PDF 1MB)

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• Acquisitions (Right to Buy: Buy Back) and Disposals Policy

  This policy sets out our approach to buying back properties previously sold under the Right to Buy scheme. It also outlines considerations in respect of the disposal of housing properties within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

  •  Acquisitions (Right to Buy: Buy Back) and Disposals Policy (PDF 276KB)
    
• Aids and Adaptations Policy

  This policy sets out our approach to assessing proposed Aids and Adaptations for tenants living in our properties.

   Aids and Adaptations Policy (PDF 741KB)
   Aids and Adaptations - Appendix A - Decision Making Tree Template (PDF 278KB)

• Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy

  This policy sets out our approach to tackling anti-social behaviour in Dacorum, both as a local authority and as a social landlord.

   Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy (PDF 287KB)

• Asbestos Management Plan

  Our Asbestos Management Plan details our approach to managing asbestos in all properties within our Property Services portfolio. This comprises approximately 10,100 residential dwellings, 8,500 individual garages and 1,100 multiple occupancy blocks. The plan sets out our responsibilities as the legal ‘’duty holder’’ in order to meet the requirements of The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012.

  •  Asbestos Management Plan (PDF 7.95MB)

   

• Building Safety Policy

  We're committed to providing a safe place to live for our residents and a safe place to work for our staff and contractors. To ensure this, we will implement all aspects of The Building Safety Act and deliver a “best practice” approach to the management of our buildings.

  •  Building Safety Policy (PDF 312KB)
• Damp, Condensation and Mould Policy

  This policy sets out broadly how we will address the issues of damp and condensation, and the resulting mould that occurs.

  •  Damp, Condensation and Mould Policy 2023-2026 (PDF 1.6MB)
• Decant Policy

  This policy details our approach when we ask a tenant to move out of their current home on a temporary basis - for example, when major repairs or refurbishment is taking place.

   Decant Policy (PDF 301KB)

• Empty Homes Policy

  This policy explains the way in which we manage our empty homes.

  •  Empty Homes Policy (PDF 257KB)
• Fire Safety Policy

  The Fire Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing fire safety in properties we own and manage. We want to ensure the safety of all people living, working or visiting our properties.

  •  Fire Safety Policy (PDF 340KB)
• Disposal of Goods Policy

  This policy sets out our approach to removing, storing and disposing of unwanted or abandoned items left in Council-owned property. This may include items left in Council-owned homes and garages at the end of a tenancy, items left in Council-owned temporary accommodation, and items collected from communal areas (within the scope of the Safety in Communal Areas Policy).

  •  Disposal of Goods Policy (PDF 291KB)
• Gas Safety Policy

  The Gas Safety Policy sets out how we prioritise the health and safety of all people who live, work in or visit our properties.

  •  Gas Safety Policy (PDF 277KB)
• Help to Move Policy

  This policy sets out our approach to helping tenants who wish to move from their current Dacorum Borough Council home into more suitably sized accommodation. 

   Help to Move Policy (PDF 709KB)

• Housing Allocations Policy

  The  Housing Allocations Policy (PDF 969KB) sets out how we prioritise applications for council and housing association homes based on your circumstances and level of housing need.

  We reviewed the Housing Allocations Policy in 2022 and made some changes to the way we allocate council housing. The new policy was adopted and implemented on Monday 4 July 2022.

  The policy helps us make sure that council homes go to people in greatest housing need. We do not discriminate and we make the best use of our resources.

• Housing Compensation Policy

  We aim to provide excellent services to all our residents. In some circumstances, when mistakes happen, we may offer compensation to put these right as quickly as possible. This is to restore a person to the position they would have been in had there not been a failure in service. The aim of this policy is to ensure that we have a fair and consistent approach to offering redress and awarding compensation.

  •  Housing Compensation Policy (PDF 312KB)
• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Policy

  The Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Policy sets out our commitment to working with landlords and private tenants to ensure Houses in Multiple Occupation are safe places to live.

   Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Policy (PDF 722KB)

• HRA Rent and Other Charges Policy

  The HRA Rent and Other Charges Policy sets out how we set rent levels in line with central Government policy and offer a range of accessible ways for tenants to pay their rent and other charges owed to us.

   HRA Rent & Other Charges Policy (PDF 276KB)

• Involved Tenants Expenses Policy

  The Involved Tenants Expenses policy sets out our commitment to paying modest and reasonable expenses to residents who are members of our committees or groups.

   Involved Tenants Expenses Policy (PDF 556KB)

• Local Connection Policy for Other Affordable Housing (properties not allocated via the Housing Register)

  The aim of this policy is to ensure that, where possible, affordable housing in Dacorum that is not let through our Housing Register is:

  • prioritised for eligible households with a local connection
  • helps to deliver a sustainable local economy
  • offers a range of housing options and tenure types to residents in housing need.

  This policy is also designed to be used, at our own discretion, where there is an oversupply of property types that exceed the needs of those on the Housing Register.

   Local Connection Policy for Other Affordable Housing (PDF 343KB)

• Mobility Scooter Policy

  This policy sets out our approach to all residents of Dacorum Borough Council housing wishing to own or use a mobility scooter, together with the requirements that both ourselves and residents must comply with to ensure their safe storage and use.

   Mobility Scooter Policy (PDF 641KB)

• Mutual Exchange Policy

  The Mutual Exchange Policy sets out how we will deal with requests for tenants to take part in a mutual exchange or mutual transfer with either existing tenants of Dacorum Borough Council or tenants of any other social landlord.

  •  Mutual Exchange Policy (PDF 299KB)
• No Second Night Out Policy

  The No Second Night Out Policy sets out how we will work to prevent and tackle rough sleeping in Dacorum. For more information, please see the following document:

   No Second Night Out Policy (PDF 839KB)

• Private Rented Sector (PRS) Enforcement Policy

  The Private Rented Sector (PRS) Enforcement Policy sets out how we will take appropriate action using powers outlined in relevant legislation (for example - the Housing Act 2004 and the Health and Safety Rating System) to tackle ‘rogue landlords’.

   Private Rented Sector (PRS) Enforcement Policy (PDF 264KB)

• Private Sector Housing Civil Penalty Policy

  This policy sets out the framework for decisions regarding the issue of civil penalties by Dacorum Borough Council. It works alongside our Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy. 

   Private Sector Housing Civil Penalty Policy (PDF 224KB)

• Pet Policy

  The Pet Policy sets out our approach to ensuring all pet owners living in our properties are responsible for their animals, maintaining their welfare and properties.

  •  Pet Policy (PDF 267KB)
• Rechargeable Works Policy

  This policy sets out the circumstances under which council tenants will be recharged for works carried out at their home, and our approach to carrying out the work and obtaining payment.

   Rechargeable Works Policy (PDF 765KB)

• Rent Arrears and Write Off Policy

  The Rent Arrears and Write Off policy sets out our position on managing tenant debt. It applies to current tenant arrears, rechargeable works debts, former tenant arrears, service charge debts and any other debt due to the Housing Service.

   Rent Arrears and Write Off Policy (PDF 730KB)

• Repairs, Maintenance and Improvements Policy

  This policy sets out our approach to delivering repairs, maintenance and improvements to our housing stock. It details our aspiration to achieve high-quality services that protect the value of our housing stock and ensure that we achieve our obligations and promises to residents in respect of Dacorum Borough Council housing.

   Repairs, Maintenance and Improvements Policy 2021 (PDF 829KB)

• Safety in Communal Areas Policy

  The Safety in Communal Areas policy sets out how we are committed to ensuring that all communal areas in our blocks are well kept, meet all regulatory requirements and are a safe and enjoyable place for residents and staff.

  •  Safety in Communal Areas Policy (PDF 278KB)
• Solid Fuel Policy

  This policy set out our approach to solid-fuel appliances in Council-owned homes.

   Solid Fuel Policy (PDF 591KB)

• Temporary Accommodation Policy

  The Temporary Accommodation Policy sets out how we work to provide and maintain suitable temporary accommodation and how we support people who have become homeless.

   Temporary Accommodation Policy (PDF 267KB)

• Tenant Alterations and Improvement Policy

  The Tenant Alterations and Improvement Policy sets out our approach to granting permission for tenant alterations and improvements. It also details how we will ensure this is appropriately carried out.

   Tenant Alterations and Improvement Policy (PDF 1MB)

• Tenancy Management Policy

  This policy sets out our approach to providing an efficient and effective tenancy management service in line with the requirements laid out in the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023.

  •  Tenancy Management Policy (PDF 365KB)
• Vehicular Crossing over Amenity Greens Policy

  This policy sets out how we will handle requests for vehicular crossings and dropped kerbs over amenity greens on our housing land.

  •  Vehicular Crossing over Amenity Greens Policy (PDF 282KB)
• Water Treatment Policy

  Under health and safety law, we must consider the risks from legionella bacteria that may affect our staff, residents and other members of the public and take suitable precautions. This policy covers all properties owned and managed by the housing service (and for which Dacorum Borough Council is the duty holder).

   Water Treatment Policy (PDF 820KB)

• Water Hygiene Policy

  This policy aims to ensure our compliance with Health and Safety guidance and approved code of practice. It also outlines how we will prevent water contamination in our domestic properties and clarifies the housing service's approach to managing the risk of water contamination.

  •  Water Hygiene Policy (PDF 330KB)