Are tenants giving their own notice to quit homes for a better chance of getting sheltered housing in the public sector?

That was the question posed in the House of Keys after Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) said the wording of a government policy left that possibility open.

Mr Hooper said the current criteria for gaining points to qualify for sheltered housing included a notice to quit a current home but did not specify that it only applied when given by the landlord.

But Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer insisted there was ’no evidence’ of tenants issuing notices to quit to their homes, risking homelessness, in order to obtain points for sheltered housing.

The minister argued the policy was ’clearly’ intended to apply to a notice issued by the landlord, but Mr Hooper pointed out Attorney General John Quinn had confirmed that it could also apply to one from the tenant.

’Why is it appropriate that a tenant can get some extra points by issuing a notice to quit, which could be a very long-term notice to quit?’ asked Mr Hooper. ’This whole idea of people making themselves homeless is pure nonsense.’

Rob Callister (Onchan) suggested a review of the wording of the policy to clear matters up, but Mr Harmer said the department would not do so at this time, although he added the housing policy would be reviewed in the future.

The minister said: ’At the moment we are not seeing this as a particular issue and it is unlikely that an elderly person would make themselves homeless.’