THOUSANDS of tenants are being urged to get involved in a massive consultation exercise to help determine the future of their homes.

Sedgefield Borough Council wants every tenant in local authority property to share their views about the proposed transfer of housing stock away from council control.

Earlier this year the council decided to pursue the stock transfer option out of three choices for the future of its homes, believing it would give tenants top quality homes and help regenerate areas of the borough with extra cash.

But the idea will only go ahead if it is the favoured option of tenants who will be given a vote on the issue.

If the proposal for large-scale voluntary transfer is backed by residents, the council would give ownership and management of its 9,200 homes to a housing association.

A shadow board of five borough councillors, five tenants and five independent people has already been formed to lay the foundations of Sedgefield Housing Limited ahead of any transfer.

The first in a series of newsletters about the process have been sent out and a mobile exhibition will visit 40 venues in the coming weeks. There are also information stands going up in the council's area offices where members of the housing management team will be available to answer questions.

Tenants are now being urged to ask any questions they have about how the proposal could affect them before returning a questionnaire.

There will also be public meetings and more exhibition tours in the new year.

Council leader Bob Fleming said: "This is the first stage of an extensive consultation process and this is the start of what will be a very exciting journey. We are sure that tenants will be able to see the benefits and that they will view transfer as a very positive move for the borough as a whole."

Two freephone lines have also been launched - to speak to the Stock Transfer Team call 0800 0853557 or the Independent Tenants' Advisor on 0800 243082.