Policies

The council values the input of our residents and actively involves them in consultations and scrutiny to help shape these policies, ensuring they meet the needs of our community.
 

The Adaptations Policy details how we will provide appropriate adaptations to housing for tenants with a disability. This document replaces the 2012 version of the policy, and covers eligibility, application processes, timescales, and future housing considerations, to ensure disabled residents have safe and accessible homes. This policy also outlines what financial help is available for residents, if they must relocate. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

This policy introduces an additional licensing requirement for certain houses in Sandwell, that are home to three or more people from different households. From October 2024, landlords must apply for a license, to ensure that their properties meet the appropriate safety and management standards.

 

This policy outlines our response to dealing with anti-social behaviour (ASB). The policy outlines our definition of ASB, our approach to addressing it, the reporting process, our guiding principles, and the enforcement procedures.

 

The Housing Asset Management and Compliance Strategy 2025-2030 sets out how we will manage and look after our council houses and buildings, land spaces, play areas and garages. It will guide our future strategic property decisions to make sure we manage our stock both sustainably and efficiently. 

 

 

Borough of Sanctuary Strategy     

This strategy outlines our vision for Sandwell, as a Borough of Sanctuary, that welcomes those fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries and protects the rights of all migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. A ‘Borough of Sanctuary’ is a borough which provides a welcoming place of safety, for people who are asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

The Complaints Compensation Policy provides a framework that outlines how and when our offer of reasonable compensation will be provided to tenants and residents, who have been negatively affected by failures in our service delivery. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

 

A decant is when tenants are temporarily or permanently relocated from their homes due to essential repairs or safety concerns. Sandwell Council's Decant Policy outlines the support and procedures in place to ensure affected tenants are treated fairly and kept informed throughout the process. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

This policy sets out Sandwell Council’s approach to preventing domestic abuse and how we will seek to identify vulnerable tenants. The policy outlines how our Housing Service will provide assistance and support to individuals who are experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse. The policy also details how the council, through collaboration with victims and other support agencies, will work to ensure the safety and security of domestic abuse victims and their families, while also taking action to address perpetrators.

 

This five-year strategy aims to tackle and reduce the number of empty properties across our borough and the impact this has on the surrounding community. This includes a plan to bring back into use 200 privately owned empty homes in Sandwell.

 

Our Good Neighbourhood Management Policy and Good Neighbour Agreement outline what you can do to be a good neighbour. The Good Neighbourhood Management Policy details our commitment to ensuring good neighbourhood management across Sandwell, where residents feel valued and part of a strong, connected community. This involves clear communication, actively listening to feedback, and working together to address issues that affect the neighbourhood.

 

Sandwell Council’s policy ensures tenants permanently rehoused due to improvement or redevelopment works receive fair compensation. It outlines how Home Loss and Disturbance Payments will be made and ensures a consistent, supportive approach throughout the process. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

This strategy sets out how we aim to prevent homelessness and ensure that support and accommodation is available for people who are either at risk of losing their home or have lost their home.

 

Our Housing Allocations Policy outlines who is eligible for a council property and sets out the process for determining a households level of priority. This policy is frequently reviewed in response to changes in the law or to changing local needs.

 

The Housing Needs Assessment details how Sandwell Council plans to meet the current and future forecasts of housing needs in the borough. This includes households with care and support needs and people from global majority groups. This document also sets out how we generate an outline for what the demographics and demand for social housing should look like over the next several years within our local area.

 

The Housing Repairs and Maintenance Policy outlines our standards for completing repairs, detailing how we will ensure that all our council properties are safe and compliant with regulatory requirements, how we will deliver a timely, high-quality, customer-focused service, how residents can influence the development and improvement of the service, and how Sandwell Council seek to maximise value for money. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

The Housing Strategy is a high-level plan that guides the development of our services from 2023 to 2028. It outlines a clear vision for how we aim to achieve our shared goal of providing housing that is secure, sustainable, and high-quality, that meets the needs of Sandwell’s residents. The Housing Strategy outlines five key priorities for Sandwell Council: to provide more affordable homes, to make best use of the homes we have, to provide quality housing for all, to support people’s health through housing and to address climate change and fuel poverty. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan sets out our strategic plan for managing and maintaining the borough’s social housing stock. It sets out in detail the council’s short to medium term plans and priorities for its housing and asset management services.

 

The Lift Maintenance and Breakdown Policy outlines our responsibility for ensuring that passenger lifts are regularly serviced, thoroughly inspected, tested, and efficiently repaired. The Lift Maintenance and Breakdown Policy details how we will minimise disruption during lift breakdowns and support tenants and leaseholders by ensuring that we provide timely communication and the appropriate assistance to vulnerable residents, while seeking to complete repairs efficiently. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

This plan details our ambition for a safe and engaged community at Alfred Gunn House, and a reduction in anti-social behaviour cases, encouraging long-term tenancies rather than short-term stays. The Council have been working with local residents to develop a Local Lettings Plan for Alfred Gunn House, which has been undergoing refurbishment. A Local Lettings Plan sets out additional criteria determining who can be allocated a property in a specific area, differing from the usual allocation process. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

This local lettings plan aims to significantly reduce the number of anti-social behaviour cases at Thorn Close. The plan will allow us to set additional criteria as a requirement for a tenancy at Thorn Close. The council will not be accepting bids from applicants who have been a perpetrator of anti-social behaviour in the last 3 years and all applicants will undergo pre-tenancy interviews.

 

Sandwell Council has a duty to ensure that mobility scooters are being stored safely. The Mobility Scooter Policy ensures that all customers have fair and consistent guidance from the housing service regarding their responsibilities for safe storage and charging of their mobility scooter. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

The Private Rented Sector Housing Assistance Policy details Sandwell Council’s commitment to providing housing support services for our most vulnerable residents. This policy aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Sandwell residents by addressing problems with unsuitable homes that do not meet resident’s needs. The policy also sets out Sandwell Council’s financial support offer for home adaptations and improvements, and the requirements and criteria that must first be met. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

The Property Compliance Policy outlines how Sandwell Council ensure that all housing in the borough is compliant with government safety regulations. This includes compliance with gas, electric, water, asbestos, lifting equipment, fire and building safety regulations. This is a legal requirement of Sandwell Council as both an employer and as a landlord and is critical in guaranteeing that we provide safe and quality homes to our residents.

 

Sandwell Council’s Reasonable Adjustments Policy ensures equal access to housing services for residents with disabilities and/or vulnerabilities by outlining when and how reasonable modifications can be made. In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, the policy specifies what adjustments are available, the process for requesting them, and how the Council will address requests. The goal is to eliminate barriers and provide fair, accessible housing services for all residents. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document. 

 

The Rechargeable Repairs Policy outlines our process for charging tenants for repairs caused by their own damage or neglect. The policy details how recharges are applied both fairly and efficiently and outlines our approach to preventing the need for rechargeable repairs where possible. You can also read our Equality Impact Assessment for this document.

 

Following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, it is now a statutory requirement to have an engagement strategy for tenants and leaseholders in all council high rise buildings. This strategy explains how tenants and leaseholders can be involved in the making of safety decisions, what tenants and leaseholders can do to keep themselves and their neighbours safe and what safety features are in place for each high-rise building.

 

This is a legal contract that details both the rights and obligations of both tenants and the council as a landlord. The contract includes information on rent, maintenance and repairs, our responsibilities, ending a tenancy, anti-social behaviour, vehicles, animals, furniture and the service of notices.

 

This policy outlines how Sandwell Council will seek to prevent tenancy fraud. The policy details the procedures for its prevention, detection, reporting, and investigation.

 

The Tenancy Sustainment Policy details our approach to helping residents effectively manage and maintain their council tenancies. It explains how we will identify vulnerable households, provide support for those facing difficulties, and connect them with services that offer advice and assistance. The policy also seeks to prevent homelessness and reduce the likelihood of tenancy breakdowns, leading to eviction, or early termination.