Social housing tenants to get five year tenancy

People who are granted social housing will now get their property for a fixed term period in an effort to stamp out the view that a tenancy is for life.

From April the Department of Social Care will set tenancies for new residents at a period of five years.

It's in an effort to provide better flexibility for landlords so they can manage their housing stock more efficiently and is seen as the first step towards means testing.

Tenancies will be reviewed when there is an ongoing housing need and will take into account changes in circumstances - such as a rise in income.

Director of housing Debbie Reeve says being more organised about it benefits everyone involved: