Housing Options Appraisal

Somerset Council undertook an independent review between 2025-2026, which was carried out by Savills, to identify how its housing management service should be delivered in future and what model best worked for customers and leaseholders across the county.

The council owns around 10,000 homes across Somerset, which was previously managed using two different models of housing management. This was as a result of bringing together the services of the former Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton District Councils, the only two district councils which owned homes in Somerset.

The housing management services were split, with around 6,000 homes managed directly through an in-house team of staff at Somerset Council and around 4,000 homes managed by us, Homes in Somerset.

We are an arms-length management organisation (ALMO) which is owned by Somerset Council. We work on behalf of the council to provide housing management services to customers.

Why did Somerset Council carry out an options appraisal

The appraisal or review was undertaken to ensure that services were better aligned, provided a consistently good service and delivered best value for money for our customers and leaseholders.

Approved housing management delivery model

At its meeting on 11 March 2026, the Somerset Council Executive supported the recommendation from independent consultants Savills to place the management of all Somerset Council housing with Homes in Somerset. The decision was subsequently approved. You can find more information in Savills’ Housing Options Appraisal Final Report.

Following this and in accordance with Section 105 of the Housing Act 1985, a final stage of consultation with Somerset Council tenants and leaseholders began on 25 February and closed on 8 April 2026. Responses to this consultation showed support for the approach.

Decision

Chris Hall, Executive Director – Community, Place and Economy at Somerset Council, to whom the final decision was delegated, approved the transfer of the management and maintenance of all Somerset Council housing to Homes in Somerset, following consultation with the Lead Member for the Housing Revenue Account.

The change took effect in September 2026 following a transition period, during which we communicated with customers to explain the changes and how they could continue to engage with the service.