A NEW management company has taken over the running of Stockton Borough Council's homes.
Tristar Homes, the council's new arm's length housing management firm, is taking up the challenge as part of a pilot scheme.
Stockton is one of eight local authorities in the country to have been chosen to pioneer the arm's length programme.
Tenants and leaseholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of the council adopting a new approach to management of its housing stock.
Under the new scheme, the council still owns the housing and remains as landlord, and tenants' existing rights are unchanged.
However, the arm's length company acts as the council's agent to manage day-to-day functions such as repairs.
The company, which is non-profit-making, is made up of a board of tenants, councillors and community representatives.
If Stockton council can show government inspectors that excellent housing services can be provided under the new arrangement, it would be able to access £44.5m of extra borrowing to fund much-needed repairs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article