Plans to transfer Hammersmith and Fulham’s entire housing stock are to be considered by the council.

The findings of the independent Residents’ Commission on Council Housing were revealed earlier this month at a meeting and recommends the transfer of the borough’s 17,102 homes - more than one-in-five - to local not-for-profit community ownership or gateway.

The council say the report makes “a compelling case” for a stock transfer, but such a move can only happen if supported by tenants, the council insisted.

The proposals are contained in the final report of the independent commission, established to report on the future of council housing in Hammersmith and Fulham.

“The report makes a compelling case"

Cllr Lisa Homan, H&F Cabinet Member for Housing paid tribute to the depth and detail of the report and said: “The commission clearly thinks a transfer of ownership will provide the best safeguard for local tenants, leaseholders and their homes in the long term, while also providing the funding needed for repairs, improvements and new housing.

“The report makes a compelling case, and my cabinet colleagues and I will now consider the recommendations very carefully. If we support the recommendations, it is crucial that tenants and leaseholders understand that a transfer will only happen – and can only happen legally – if residents support it and vote for it in a formal ballot.”

Such a move would not impact on the government’s announcement earlier this year that rents in the social rented sector will be reduced by one per cent per year for the next four years.

John Bibby, CEO of the Association of Retained Housing in Council said: “If any council is transferring its stock to another housing provider then that provider would be required to follow the government’s Rent Standard, and that applies equally to social landlords of any sort.

“It’s not unusual by any shape or form, lots of local authorities have transferred stock to other landlords.”

Cllr Homan continued: “The council is absolutely committed to doing what is best to protect the interests of residents of council homes now and in the future. We want to ensure that homes are safeguarded for the future, tenants’ rights are protected and the quality of homes maintained and improved.”

The commission was established by H&F Council in February and chaired by former housing minister, the Rt Hon Keith Hill, along with six tenants, three leaseholders and three independent housing experts. They were asked to look at ways to safeguard council homes and estates for the future, give residents greater local control over their homes, protect tenants’ rights and keep rents and charges at levels residents can afford, and fund improvements to homes and housing services.

Mr Hill said: “Our decision to recommend a community gateway option has been exhaustively examined and passionately debated. And we think a full transfer is the best option for council tenants, leaseholders and housing in the borough.”

The council will make a final decision at a cabinet meeting on December 7.