It was a story guaranteed to give social housing a rare bit of publicity in the mainstream media. Council and housing association tenants that carry out repairs to their homes (or pay someone else to do it) are to be entitled to compensation under a new scheme known as 'tenant cashback'.
According to housing minister Grant Shapps, households could even make money out of the scheme by pocketing any savings and putting it towards a deposit on a home. Landlords might also save money, he added, while local contractors would enjoy a bonanza from all the extra business.
'Tenant cashback' is, of course, part of the government's drive for localism and community empowerment. It also allows ministers to give social landlords a gentle slap on the wrist by suggesting they don't keep homes in proper condition or, when they do, they spend too much money.
All of which slightly ignores the fact that councils and housing associations normally strive to negotiate the most economical price for repairs, sometimes by working as part of consortia. Quite how an individual tenant is going to get a better deal on their own, or by joining forces with a few neighbours, is hard to see.
Furthermore, if a tenant carries work themselves that turns out to be substandard, who is going to shoulder responsibility? It will be cold comfort for tenants waiting to move into a home to be told that major repairs are needed because the former occupant did not employ reputable contractors while at the same time claiming money from the council or housing association.
No, the fact is that, in the vast majority of instances, tenants would prefer to call their landlord and get them to carry out any repairs as quickly as possible. If they are not satisfied with their landlord's response, or the standard of work carried out, they should of course complain until the work is done properly.
It was left to the Chartered Institute of Housing to point out that council tenants have had the right since 1985 to call in their own contractors if a local authority does not repair their home fast enough. By 1989, 71 claims had been agreed, after which the government stopped collecting data. It wouldn't be a surprise if interest in 'tenant cashback' wanes even faster.
