Thousands of council tenants across Calderdale are to be asked for their views on plans to switch the ownership of their homes to a new 'not-for-profit' housing organisation.

Calderdale Council cannot afford the £112 million needed to modernise its 13,300 homes and Government rules mean it cannot borrow the money.

But as an independent, not-for-profit housing organisation Pennine Housing 2000 would be able to borrow the funds needed.

Now the district's 15,500 tenants are to receive details of what would happen to their homes if they vote for the switch in a secret postal ballot later in the year and are being invited to have their say on the plans.

The formal offer document includes the proposed programme of repairs and improvements which would be carried out and the new tenancy agreement tenants would have.

As well as the offer document tenants are also to get copies of The Switch video, outlining the proposals. If The Switch goes ahead the ownership and management of Calderdale's Council homes would move to Pennine Housing 2000 but tenants would get a guarantee that their rents will not rise by more than inflation plus one per cent for the first five years.

Council leader John Ford said: "I would urge all tenants to read the document carefully. We're asking all our tenants for their views on the proposals and hope they'll respond using the pre-paid slip provided.

"The council will then consider all their comments and amend our proposals, if required, before holding a ballot later this year.''