Privatising Housing Management

Abstract

Perhaps the greatest impact on social housing has resulted from the trend towards the privatisation, or rather commercialisation, of the management function. This has been one in a raft of policies (see Chapter 1) designed to shift the locus of control for social housing away from local authorities. The main, but not exclusive vehicle for implementing such change is CCT, the effects of which have been felt from April 1996, as authorities have systematically tendered their landlord functions. This chapter details the policy and statutory framework within which CCT operates, and the main issues inherent in its implementation. Also examined are different organisational approaches to CCT, including illustrative case studies of specific local authority experiences.

‘Competitive tendering for the local authority housing management function will clarify and define the whole business of housing management. Tasks and activities will have to be specified — and who does them, how often and to what standard of performance … Above all, competitive tendering will ensure that services are provided by those best able to provide them. This can only be in the interests of tenants, chargepayers and taxpayers alike.’

(Sir George Young, 1993)