Notification

Milford Towers Estate Local Letting Scheme Short-Term Leases Pending Regeneration of the Area

Lewisham Council invites expressions of interest from suitable organisations wanting to acquire leases of approximately 180 residential properties on the Milford Towers Estate in Catford, SE6.

The Milford Towers Estate consists of:

Studios 80 1 Bedroom Flats 131 2 Bedroom Flats 65

Long-term tenants are being decanted from Milford Towers Estate as part of the wider Catford Town Centre regeneration proposals to redevelop the Catford Centre. To support the ongoing management and sustainability of the community living in Milford Towers the Council will find alternative uses for these empty flats prior to demolition in order to minimise the risks of squatting and anti-social behaviour and to keep those tenants who are yet to move out feeling safe and secure.

When deciding on alternative uses for the vacated flats the Council will first consider the suitability of the vacant flat for temporary accommodation for local people in housing need or to prevent homelessness. A mixture of up to twenty studios and one-bedroom homes not needed for temporary accommodation will be let through the Council’s Rent Incentive Scheme.

The remaining homes, almost all studios and one-bedroom flats, will be let on Assured Shorthold Tenancies at low rents and managed by an appointed partner agency.

The Council will lease these properties to a single organisation; with one reserve organisation being named should the successful applicant not meet the conditions of the lease or the Memorandum of Understanding. The Council expects that approximately 180 of these properties will leased under this scheme.

The leases will be of variable lengths, all ending during a short window during November and December 2015, and will be up to 33 months long.

The Council will welcome submissions from suppliers who:

 can provide an agreed return for the Council (which will specified in the Application Pack)  can carry out void works on and secure up to 100 properties in the first instance  agree to accept 95% of all properties offered to them  agree to accept some nominated clients (up to 20) who will not be required to pay rent in advance or a deposit (see * below)  agree not to use the properties to accommodate any person or household who has had any contact with another housing authority or social housing provider in the last 12 months

 let properties on the estate at the lowest rents  demonstrate the capacity to meet the lease conditions  demonstrate the capacity and preparedness to meet the conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding  will let all units at the same standard of repair and decoration irrespective of the nature of the occupants  agree to occupy at 95% of leased properties at least 95% of the time

Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of meeting the requirements of the scheme (taking 95% of all properties offered, accepting some nominated clients), achieving low rent levels, efficiency, relevant experience, capability, quality and safety standards and financial standing. The evaluation of submissions will be 50% rent level and 50% quality.

The council will offer the successful organisation:

 leases for all the units offered and accepted  a rent inclusive of Service Charges and Water Charges  an undesignated car parking space for each property  a half month rent free period for all leases  a further one and a half month rent free period for all properties occupied by a nominated applicant*  property insurance cover  continued management and servicing of the common parts

Expressions of interest by email to the address below no later than noon on 7 December 2012.

Submissions to be received no later than noon on 12 December 2012.

To request further details and an application pack by email, please contact [email protected]