Award of contract to Underley Furnishings Ltd (T/a ‘Furnished Homes’) to provide a Furnished Tenancy Scheme for 3 years with the option to extend by a further two years, to a maximum contract length of 5 years.

The Deputy Chief Executive – City and Citizens’ Services decides as follows:

Recommendation is to award the contract to Underley Furnishings Ltd (T/a ‘Furnished Homes’), the highest scoring bidder following a compliant procurement exercise, for the Furnished Tenancy Scheme.

1.    The purpose of the decision is to award a new contract for the Furnished Tenancy Scheme. The decision achieves the following benefits:

·       Reducing financial hardship

·       Supporting tenancy sustainment

·       Preventing tenancy failure

·       Minimising costs associated with voids, repeat homelessness, and property management

2.    The risks if the decision is not made are that the scheme will not be provided and there could be failed tenancies. 

Other options are:

·       Not to award a new contract and to stop this service leaving tenants to maintain and supply their own furnishings.

·       Extend the existing contract and run the risk of breaching the law.

·       Undertake a new procurement exercise.