Bury Council has formally taken over responsibility for managing and maintaining 7,700 homes across the borough, following the transfer of staff and services from Six Town Housing.
This means that from 1 February, services like repairs and grounds maintenance are the responsibility of the Council.
The aim of bringing housing management back into the Council is to improve it for residents by providing a more joined-up service, linking housing and other council services that residents rely on in their neighbourhood.
Why has this happened?
The move follows a survey of residents, in which tenants and leaseholders overwhelmingly supported the proposal – over 90% who took part agreed that housing management should be brought back in house under the direct control of the council.
Bringing management services in-house is something Bury, like councils across the country, considered for a number of reasons. Whilst Six Town Housing have successfully delivered housing services to tenants on behalf of the Council for many years, there are now significant changes in legislation and a renewed focus on the condition of housing stock and improvement of the whole neighbourhood.
What are the changes for tenants and leaseholders?
There will not be any changes to tenants’ and leaseholders’ rights, and rent levels and service charges will continue to be reviewed annually. Staff officially started working for the Council on Thursday 1 February in the new Housing Division, led by John Holman, Interim Director of Housing Operations.
Six Town Housing email addresses will still work and will be redirected to new council addresses. Replies will come from council addresses.
The Six Town Housing website will remain active until March and after this time all information will be on the council’s website only. Six Town Housing’s social media channels will remain active, under the name BuryCouncilHousingServices. Staff uniforms and existing signage will be changed to Council branding as and when they need replacing, in order to minimise costs and reduce waste.
What happens to teams at Six Town Housing?
Teams at Six Town Housing moved across to the Council and continue to deliver housing services.