COUNCIL houses in Fareham could be transferred to a housing association because the council can no longer afford their upkeep.

Fareham Borough Council decided to hold a ballot later this year to let tenants decide the future of their homes.

A majority of tenants would need to be in favour of the changeover for it to happen.

According to the council, transfer would bring "benefits for everybody".

They say that rents will be guaranteed "not to exceed inflation plus one per cent", more resources will be available for major repairs and improvements, money will become available to build "a significant number of affordable homes", and tenants would have an increased role in decision-making.

Council leader Sean Woodward said: "Tenants will have the opportunity to vote for improvements to their housing stock, for stability of rents and for the provision of new homes for their children."

Councillor Jackie Hamilton, leader of the Lib Dem group, said it was "important that we consider what is best for the council tenants".

"The report has been very thorough and I think we must now give the tenants a chance to say what they think," she said.

Jean King, chairman of the Tenants and Leaseholders Borough Panel, urged council house occupants to make a considered decision in the ballot.

"It's something each tenant has got to make their own mind up about. Every tenant should make sure they get all the information and go to the meetings and know exactly what is going to happen," she said.

She added that she thought the results of a similar transfer in Eastleigh had been "very positive".

"It came across as a very good thing. Housing associations can raise more money for maintenance."

The formal consultation process will be carried out through newsletters, a consultation document, home visits and advice from an independent housing consultants.

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