The Council operates a Furnished Tenancy Scheme (FTS) whereby new tenants who have not previously held a social housing tenancy are offered the opportunity to hold a furnished tenancy.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide new tenants with the best possible opportunity to succeed in their tenancy by removing many of the immediate financial demands that providing furniture for a first home can bring, thus reducing the risk of high levels of indebtedness.

Award of contract to 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.

Furnished Homes was assessed as being the most economically advantageous supplier based on cost and quality following a procurement process undertaken in line with the Council’s Constitution and Public Procurement Regulations.

The option to not appoint was rejected as that would put the continued provision of a Furnished Tenancy Scheme at risk.

Decision taken by Stephen Gabriel, Executive Director for Communities and People.

Decision taken in consultation with Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services, and Susan Sale, Head of Law and Governance.