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14 May 2025
Man sat down against some lockers with hands over is face.Closure order secured to resolve anti-social behaviour
A closure order has been obtained for a Bridgwater property
Somerset Council to launch review of housing management services
Somerset Council will be carrying out an independent review to see how its housing service can be streamlined through a process called a Housing Options Appraisal.
The aim of the appraisal is to align its housing management services across the county.
Since April 2023, the council, which owns around 10,000 homes, has managed its housing stock via two different models of management, absorbing the services of the former Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton District Councils, the only two district councils which owned housing stock in Somerset.
Around 6,000 homes are managed directly through an in-house team at Somerset Council, and around 4,000 homes by Homes in Somerset.
Homes in Somerset is an arms-length management organisation (ALMO) which is owned by Somerset Council and works on behalf of the council to provide housing management services to customers.
To ensure that services are better aligned, provide a consistently good service and deliver best value for money for customers and leaseholders, Somerset Council will be conducting an independent review to identify how the housing service should be delivered in future and what model best works for our customers.
An external consultant will be appointed to undertake this piece of work, which will begin in July 2025, leading to a recommendation for a future delivery model.
The rights of our customers will not be affected by this change. Somerset Council will continue to own our customers’ properties, and their homes will continue to be repaired, maintained and invested in as they are currently during the Options Appraisal process. Customers will also continue to be supported by their Housing Officers. There will be no change to rent or service charges beyond the normal annual review and increase.
The project’s aim is to align the housing management services so they are delivered through one, rather than two different management models.
The rights of our customers will remain unchanged and Somerset Council will remain the landlord, whatever the outcome. The council is not looking to sell any homes as part of this process.
Throughout, we will be engaging with customers as part of this process, keeping everyone fully informed and giving customers the opportunity to get involved and give feedback, so we understand what is important to them and to make sure our customers’ voices are heard.
We will also be sharing regular updates with you through our customer newsletter, e-newsletter, on our website, through our social media platforms and through other bespoke engagement as this important work progresses.
We have also published some Frequently Asked Questions, but if you have any other questions, please contact our Customer Services Team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Somerset Council owns in excess of 10,000 homes, but currently operates via two models of housing management, with circa 6,000 homes managed in-house by Somerset Council and circa 4,000 homes managed by Homes in Somerset. The Options Appraisal is being carried out by an independent consultant to understand how the housing management services can be best aligned, offering consistency and best value for money to customers.
An arms-length management organisation (ALMO) is a not-for-profit body, wholly owned by its parent council, created to manage council-owned housing and deliver housing-related services adhering to a Management Agreement. An ALMO also has its own management team and is governed by a Board. Whereas an in-house housing model means services are directly managed within the council and is overseen by council committees.
Somerset Council owns in excess of 10,000 homes and operates via these two models of housing management after bringing together the services of the former Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton Councils, the only two district councils which owned housing stock in Somerset.
Of the 10,000 homes, Somerset Council currently manages circa 6,000 in-house and Homes in Somerset manages circa 4,000. Homes in Somerset is an ALMO which looks after houses and garages across the county on behalf of Somerset Council. It does not own any properties.
An Options Appraisal can be a lengthy process. We envisage a decision on the future of the housing management services will be made in early 2026. Customers are likely to be contacted by the independent consultant as part of the process between July-October 2025, to share their views. Following a decision, any customers who may experience a change to their housing management services will be contacted directly.
If anyone is concerned about the Options Appraisal, or has any questions, they can contact their service provider at any time.
Homes in Somerset customers can call 0800 585 360, email customer.services@homesinsomerset.org or visit our contact us page for more information.
Somerset Council tenants should contact their assigned housing officer or use the Contact my housing team form online.
No, the Options Appraisal is not being carried out as part of a cost-saving exercise. The decision to align the housing management services has been made to ensure Somerset Council and Homes in Somerset provide the best value for money, with customers receiving the same, consistent services across the county. Any efficiencies made as a result of this process would go directly back into the Housing Revenue Account, to be used to invest back into the housing management services.
No. Somerset Council will remain the legal landlord of your property no matter which management model is selected. The Options Appraisal is being carried out to understand how the housing management services can be best aligned, offering consistency and best value for money to customers. No houses will be sold as a result of the Options Appraisal.
No. The Options Appraisal is being carried out to understand how the housing management services can be best aligned, offering consistency and best value of money for customers. No houses will be sold as a result of the Options Appraisal.
Your legal rights as a tenant will remain unchanged and you will remain a tenant of Somerset Council. Your home remains secure so long as you comply with the terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement.
The Options Appraisal will not trigger rent or service charge increases. There will be no change to your rent or services charges beyond the normal annual review and increase.
You will continue to pay your rent to Somerset Council, in the same way as you currently do.
During the Options Appraisal process, you can continue to raise a repair or contact your housing service provider in the same way as you currently do.
If your home is managed by Homes in Somerset, continue to use the Customer Portal, call 0800 585 360 or email customer.services@homesinsomerset.org.
If your home is managed by Somerset Council, continue to call 0300 123 2224 or visit Repair problem – report – Self Service.
This could change following the outcome of the Options Appraisal, however, all customers will be contacted directly if there is any change to their housing management services.
As part of the Options Appraisal, which will be carried out by an independent consultant, customers will be given the opportunity to share their views on what is important to them. Somerset Council and Homes in Somerset both encourage customers to have their say, so everyone’s views are considered during the final decision.
If you’d like to log your interest in sharing your views on the Options Appraisal, Homes in Somerset customers can contact us via emailing customer.services@homesinsomerset.org or calling 0800 585 360. Somerset Council tenants should contact their assigned housing officer.
Your rights as a leaseholder and the terms of any leasehold agreement we have with you for commercial premises will not be affected.
Somerset Council will continue to be responsible for your building during the Options Appraisal process, and any repairs and maintenance we are currently liable for will continue to be carried out in the same way.
The Options Appraisal will not trigger any changes to your rent or service charge payments, beyond the normal annual review and increase.