Luton council house cash incentives

Please note: This story was accurate at the time of publication but some circumstances have now changed. The story has been edited to reflect this.

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Council house tenants in Luton are to be help to move to a smaller property. Luton Borough Council agreed last night to adopt a scheme to try and address a shortage of available family homes.

Tenants who have outgrown their 'housing need', i.e. they are living in a property which is considered too large for the occupants, will, in some instances, be offered help towards their removal expenses if they downsize to a smaller house or flat. It's estimated more than 30% of LBC properties are currently under occupied.

The council claims many of these are older people who either lack the finance to move or are unable to due to lack of support to enable a move. The tenants have a secure tenancy, which means they have the right to remain in those properties but could be contributing to a shortage of family homes in the borough.

Last year there were 204 severely overcrowded families in Luton but only 94 lettings of suitably sized properties that could have accommodated their needs. There are currently 228 families waiting for a four-bedroom property but only two of the 114 homes that Luton owns and manages became vacant last year.

The council says its not trying to force tenants out of their homes but wants to ensure that anyone who would like to downsize has the financial resources and support to be able to do so.