Local Lettings Policies

This section contains any Local Lettings Policies Currently in Place.

 In certain circumstances there will be a requirement for individual or a group of properties to be considered and let under a local letting policy agreement for a time limited period. This will be done for a specific identified purpose such as to promote community safety and community cohesion or improve contract holder sustainability. 

Current Local Lettings Policies in place - 

 

83 - 90 Forsythia Close, Gurnos, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9DS

Any offer of a property at this address will be subect to a satisfactory police check, and decisions may be made based on any safeguarding concerns as per the Allocations of community housing policy.

 

Waunwyllt Court, Chapel Street, Abercaniad, Merthyr Tydfil 

Any offer of a property at this address will be subect to a satisfactory police check, and decisions may be made based on any safeguarding concerns as per the Allocations of community housing policy.

 

Ty Brynseion

Applicants bidding on properties at this address will be required to be over 50 years of age and any offer would subject to a satisfactory police check while the Local letting policy is in place. 

 

Bro Y Ffrwd

Any offer of a property at this address will be subect to a satisfactory police check, and decisions may be made based on any safeguarding concerns as per the Allocations of community housing policy.

 

The Coppice / Swansea Rd / Brynhyfryd chapel - New Development

Local Letting Policy for New Developments

Purpose

This Local Letting Policy is introduced under Section 95 of the  Housing (Wales) Act 2014, which places a duty on housing associations to co-operate with local authorities in tackling homelessness and allows flexibility in allocation schemes to promote sustainable communities. It also aligns with Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996, requiring reasonable preference for those in greatest housing need.

The policy will operate in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and registered social landlords (RSLs), ensuring decisions are made collaboratively to meet statutory duties and Welsh Government policy objectives, including those set out in the Welsh Government Code Of Guidance on Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness and Merthyr’s Rapid Rehousing Transitional plans. 

Scope

This policy applies to the initial lettings of all new housing developments comprising more than one unit delivered by housing associations within the local authority area. Where a development falls below this threshold, an RSL partner may request approval from the Local Authority to apply a Local Lettings Plan.

It complements the Common Allocations Policy and the Welsh Government’s Code of Guidance on Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness, which permits local letting arrangements to support community cohesion and tenancy sustainability.

Key Principles

  • Collaborative Allocation: There will be no fixed allocation percentages for any band or group. Instead, allocations will be agreed case by case between the local authority and the RSL, taking into account individual support needs, risks, and property suitability in line with Section 95 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.
  • Priority Bands Only: All allocations under this policy will be made only from Priority Bands 1, Band 1 Reduced, and Band 2, ensuring that applicants with the greatest housing need are prioritised in accordance with Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 and the Common Allocations Policy.
  • Community Cohesion: Decisions will consider the demographic mix, property types, and the need to create a balanced and sustainable community, reducing risks of anti-social behaviour and promoting long-term tenancy success, as supported by the Welsh Government Cose of Guidance.
  • Compliance with Statutory Duties: All allocations will comply with the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, Housing Act 1996, and Welsh Government guidance.
  • Transparency and Fairness: Allocation decisions will be clear, consistent, and subject to equality considerations under the Equality Act 2010.
  • Grant-Funded Properties: Homes funded through Welsh Government grants will follow the mandatory cascade priorities set out in “off-the-shelf” guidance, giving precedence to households in temporary accommodation or at risk of homelessness, supporting Rapid Rehousing principles.

Balanced Allocations

Allocations will be flexible and agreed in partnership between the local authority and the RSL for each development. There will be no predetermined mix, as decisions will depend on:

  • Applicant support needs and risks (e.g., mental health, safeguarding, tenancy sustainment).
  • Nature of the stock (property type, accessibility features, size).
  • Community cohesion objectives (avoiding concentrations of high support needs, promoting diversity).
  • Protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

Grant‑Funded Properties (Cascade with Community Cohesion)

Homes funded through Welsh Government grants will be allocated using the following cascade, applied first in every case:

  • First priority should be given to applicants currently residing in temporary

accommodation, including within resettlement schemes, for whom the

property is both suitable and meets their housing need.

  • Where the property cannot be allocated to applicants in temporary

accommodation, second priority should be given to applicants who are

homeless at home and would otherwise need to occupy temporary

accommodation. Again, the property must be suitable and meets their

housing need.

  • Where the property cannot be allocated to applicants who are homeless

at home, third priority should be given to those who are under a S66 duty

who would otherwise need to occupy temporary accommodation, and for

whom the property is suitable and meets their housing need.

 

Where the above has been exhausted, allocation will then fall to other applicants with reasonable preference under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996, in a priority banding (Band 1, Band 1 reduced and Band 2), in accordance with the Common Allocations policy.

Community cohesion and tenancy sustainability remain essential considerations within each step of the cascade. This means:

  • Selection within the applicable cascade step will be agreed in partnership between the Local Authority and the allocating RSL, taking into account individual support needs, risks, and property suitability (e.g., accessibility features, household size, local services).
  • The mix of first‑time tenants will be shaped to avoid concentrations of very high support needs, promote household diversity (family, single, older persons), and reduce the risk of anti‑social behaviour, while not undermining reasonable preference or the cascade order.
  • All decisions will comply with equality duties (including protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010) and be recorded transparently, with clear rationale showing how the cascade was followed first, and how the community cohesion objectives guided choices within that step.

This approach ensures compliance with Welsh housing policy, supports Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans, and promotes community cohesion by balancing urgent need with sustainable outcomes.

Duration

This policy applies to the first letting phase of each new development that falls in the criteria or applied for where not met the threshold. Once all initial allocations are complete, subsequent lettings will revert to the standard Common Allocations Policy.

Equality Impact Assessment

An Equality Impact Assessment will be completed for each development to ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010, promoting fairness and avoiding disadvantage to any protected group.