Portsmouth City Council has officially become the landlord for nearly 800 households following the completion of a substantial social housing purchase on 26 February 2024. This move, involving the acquisition of 747 homes in its initial phase from Clarion Housing Group, represents a significant expansion of the council’s role as a social housing provider in the Portsmouth and Havant areas.

The deal, which is hailed as one of the largest tenanted social housing transfers of its kind, not only strengthens the council’s position as a leading social housing provider but also introduces new responsibilities, including the management of shared ownership homes. An additional batch of homes, rounding the total to 818, is slated for completion during the summer.

This strategic acquisition extends the council’s reach into new territories such as Gosport, Fareham, and Winchester, alongside its stronghold in Portsmouth. The newly acquired properties will remain under the local allocation policies, with the council pledging to uphold the highest service standards for tenants, shared owners, and leaseholders alike.

Councillor Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness, expressed the council’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for the new tenants and highlighted the importance of this acquisition in providing long-term housing security.

The council’s selection as the preferred bidder by Clarion Housing Group followed a competitive tender process initiated in November 2023, which included comprehensive engagement with current Clarion residents. This process culminated in the approval of the deal by both the Full Council and Clarion’s board.

In preparation for the transition, the council and Clarion jointly hosted ‘meet the landlord’ events, offering new tenants the opportunity to engage directly with their new housing provider. The next steps include visits from council representatives to all newly acquired properties, ensuring tenants are well-informed about their rights and the services available to them.

With this acquisition, Portsmouth City Council now manages approximately 17,000 rented and 2,000 leasehold homes across Portsmouth, Havant, and Waterlooville. The addition of these homes is expected to enhance the council’s housing provision significantly, offering more social and affordable housing options and strengthening its financial position through increased revenue. The focus on properties built after 1980 also promises long-term benefits in terms of maintenance costs and sustainability.