COUNCIL house tenants in north Durham are being urged to use their vote on the future ownership of 7,600 properties.
Derwentside District Council wants to transfer the homes to not-for-profit organisation Derwentside Homes.
It says the transfer is in the tenants' best interest, as the new organisation could invest about £117m on repairs and improvements to tenants' homes in the first 13 years.
The council says it would only be able to invest £51m over the same period.
Councillors have agreed to give every tenant the chance to vote on the idea, either by post or by telephone.
North Durham MP Kevan Jones urged people to vote and make their views known.
Mr Jones said: "The final decision on whether or not to go ahead with transfer will have a significant impact on tenants, so it's important they realise the decision is in their hands.
More information on the proposed transfer can be obtained from the council's free information line, 0800 977 6018.
Tenants have until December 5 to respond.
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