White Horse Housing Association is in talks to assume responsibility for 16 flats currently overseen by Marlborough and District Housing Association (MHDA).
The flats in Marlborough, built in 1969, have been overseen by MDHA that year and run by volunteers.
However, MDHA chair David Ingram has said stricter housing regulations have made this much harder: “We absolutely support the stricter regulations and fuller reporting but this increased recording and reporting of compliance will result in substantially increased costs, which could only be covered by significant increases in rent and service charges.”
Consequently, MDHA has been evaluating alternative housing associations to absorb the responsibility of its flats and gardens.
Talks with White Horse to the point where a former transfer proposal was submitted which will be put to MDHA’s board. This may be discussed again by White Horse’s board and could go back before MDHA for a final decision at the end of November.
If agreed, transfer would take effect from 1st January 2025 and mean the closure of the MDHA. Tenants in the flat have been kept updated about the potential transfer, and assured this will not affect rents of tenancies.
“The best interests of our residents remain our absolute priority,” added Charles. “While it is with some sadness that we relinquish our responsibilities, we do so in the confidence that this difficult decision is in the best interest of current and future residents of these properties.”
White Horse Housing Association, formed in 1984, oversees 430 properties in 55 villages across Wiltshire, Swindon and Somerset.
