A LANDLORD has been appointed to help a council transfer its entire housing stock.

Sunderland Housing Group has been chosen by Sedgefield Borough Council to help with the delivery of its stock transfer proposal, which it says will bring £116m of investment into the borough.

Last month, the council announced its plan to pursue stock transfer as the best option to secure investment and improvement, not just to tenants' homes but to local estates and communities.

Tenants will take part in an independent ballot on the proposals.

If they vote in favour, Sunderland Housing Group will help the council set up a not-for-profit local housing company, which will take over the ownership and management of the council's 9,400 homes.

The company would be based in Sedgefield borough and would be able to access and invest the £116m needed to improve council homes, services and communities.

Council leader Councillor Bob Fleming said: "The council has taken a major step towards delivering the quality of homes, service and communities tenants have a right to expect."

He said: "Right from the start tenants have been our priority. They will continue to play a key role in the management of their homes.

"Tenants will sit on the board of management of the new organisation and have a real say in how it manages their homes.

"Over the next few months we will give tenants the facts about the transfer leading up to the ballot. Tenants will decide."

A panel of elected members, staff and tenants recommended Sunderland Housing Group ahead of five transfer proposals put forward by other housing organisations in the region.

Tenant Emma Jones, who sat on the panel, said: "Tenants have been involved from day one. We have been consulted on the type of landlord we want for Sedgefield.

"Over the coming months we will be working with the council and Sunderland Housing Group to ensure tenants get the homes and housing service they have a right to expect. It will then be up to tenants to decide if transfer goes ahead."