Purpose
To provide a structured forum for leaseholders to review and understand the Leasehold Management Policy
Context
The Council is transforming the work of its housing services in response to new Consumer Standards from the Regulator for Social Housing. These standards require Landlords to be open with residents and treat them with fairness and respect so they can access services, raise concerns when necessary, influence decision making and hold their landlord to account. It also requires Landlords to engage with other relevant parties so that tenants and leaseholders can live in safe and well-maintained neighbourhoods, and feel safe in their homes.
Oxford City Council is committed to meeting its responsibilities towards leaseholders including shared owners under the terms of their lease agreements, and providing them with high quality management and maintenance service whilst demonstrating value for money and transparency.
The Leasehold management policy explains how the Council will meet its statutory duties and responsibilities to leaseholders and shared owners under the terms of their lease agreements, and to provide them with a good standard of customer care and service in the management and maintenance of their homes, including information explaining service charges and the rights and responsibilities of leaseholders.
The Leasehold Management Policy Review Group (LMPRG) is part of this transformation, helping to ensure that OCC’s approach to resident involvement reflects leaseholder and shared owners views and priorities.
Objectives
- Ensure leaseholders understand their rights and responsibilities in line with the Leaseholder Management Policy
- A set of leaseholder-led effective recommendations for the Home Ownership Team to review, consider and feedback their response to
- Show that OCC is meeting its responsibilities towards leaseholders including shared owners under the terms of their lease agreements and providing them with high quality management and maintenance service whilst demonstrating value for money
Outcomes
- A set of resident-led effective recommendations for the Home Ownership Team to review, consider and feedback their response to
- Provide evidence that Oxford City Council's leaseholders and shared owners have had meaningful input in developing the policy
- Show Oxford City Council is meeting its responsibilities towards leaseholders including shared owners under the terms of their lease agreements and providing them with high quality management and maintenance service whilst demonstrating value for money
Membership
- 8 to 12 leaseholders and shared owners with an interest in improving service standards and accountability across our Home Ownership Policy
- Members are encouraged to attend all sessions and contribute in line with the code of conduct
- In addition to the Group Conduct statement below, members will be expected to adhere to a full code of conduct shared in the initial meeting invitation and reading pack
Meeting format joint co-leads
- The task and finish review group will be jointly led by the Home Ownership Manager and the Home Ownership Officer, facilitated by a resident involvement officer across 3 or 4 online sessions - there will be a written report as a conclusion from the Home Ownership Manager
- All sessions will be held online via Microsoft Teams from 6pm to 7.30pm
- Members will receive reading materials and be offered personal support if there are any triggers for mental health during the meetings. They will receive training to ensure that they can successfully access the group, and understand the information provided to enable them all to contribute effectively
- Meeting 1 - Date to be arranged for January 2026
- Meeting 2 - Date to be arranged for January 2026
- Meeting 3 - Date to be arranged for February 2026
- Meeting 4 - Date be arranged for March 2026
Influence and sign-off
- Meetings will be recorded, minuted and recommendation tracker and outcomes logged
- Task and Finish recommendations will be presented to Christopher Benjamin, Home Ownership Manager
- Finalized recommendations will be taken by Home Ownership Team to Director of Housing and then the Housing Delivery Improvement Board for approval
Group conduct
- Encourage and respect diverse views and experiences
- Contribute constructively and listen actively
- Maintain confidentiality on sensitive matters
