FAQs

Take a look at our frequently asked questions regarding the proposed tenancy transfer from Enham Trust to Aster 3 Ltd. This page will be regularly updated if and when any new or unanswered questions arise.

What is Aster 3 Ltd? 

Aster 3 Ltd is one of the Registered Providers that operates under the Aster Group.  

What is a Registered Provider? 

A Registered Provider is a company designed to provide affordable housing for local people which is regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing.  
 

 
Why are you proposing to move my home over to Aster 3 Ltd? 

We are committed to securing the long-term sustainability of Enham Trust as a charity. By moving some homes over to Aster 3 Ltd, we would be able to remove these as assets from Enham Trust’s balance sheet.  

These assets are having a negative impact on the charity’s accounts due to the levels of investment required to be made into the properties which were therefore making it more difficult to raise the necessary funds for its charitable activities.  

Aster has provided a significant amount of money for Enham to invest into its homes and other properties since the merger in 2022. The proceeds from this internal transfer of the homes from Enham to Aster would be used to repay a loan that Enham also took out to enable such investment to happen. 

This transfer would now mean Aster would be able to directly invest in the properties, ensuring homes continue to meet the Decent Homes Standard and both reach and perform at an EPC rating of C or above, better supporting our tenants now and in the future. 

Homes will continue to be let under Enham’s allocation policy, with priority for disabled people being upheld in accordance with Enham’s charitable objects. 

We’re committed to helping develop ways to end the housing crisis we are faced with across the UK. We want to give as many people as possible an opportunity to have a safe, secure, well-maintained and comfortable home to live in – something that can be done more effectively through the resources of Aster Group. 

You said that Enham Trust would retain its housing stock when joining Aster Group. What’s changed? 

The changing landscape for charities, social housing and the broader economic climate means we must continually review how we deliver our services to ensure we’re achieving the best value for money whilst delivering on our purpose.  

Based on the information to hand when joining Aster Group in 2022, Enham Trust and Aster believed at that time that Enham would be able to retain its housing stock and independently meet its future investment needs. 

However, after review of the general needs housing, we now understand that this would negatively impact the charity’s financial position and charitable activities. This is because of evolving government standards and the ongoing liability that our housing repairs and maintenance programme currently places upon the charity. 

What does this mean for Enham Trust? 

As a registered charity, Enham Trust would be effectively released of the burden that owning and operating general needs homes can place upon it. The charity would have more surplus and will hold fewer liabilities, to focus on its core purpose of supporting disabled people to live, work and enjoy life. 

How does the proposed transfer support Enham Trust to reach financial sustainability? 

Much-needed income for the charity being generated by the transfer would support us to achieve this, as well as making the charity’s accounts more attractive to prospective partners and funders. This would then provide better opportunities to raise necessary funds for our charitable activities. 

How does this impact on future allocations of tenants of Enham Trust homes? 

Aster is committed to ensuring the existing housing allocation and nomination processes remain as they are. This is of course subject to any future changes to government policy that may be placed upon the Group, as standard. 

Would any savings made through this exercise be spent at Enham? 

Enham as a charity would be more financially viable and sustainable and be able to do more of its charitable activities. Aster would invest the required future funds into the homes at Enham to provide tenants with well-maintained properties.  

How did you reach the decision to propose this transfer of housing stock? 

A comprehensive assessment of Enham Trust and its existing housing stock has been undertaken and reviewed by Enham’s trustees. As a result, trustees have agreed to propose the transfer of Enham Trust’s general needs housing to Aster 3 Ltd. 

Some of Enham’s trustees are Executives within Aster. How did you come to the decision to propose this transfer without breaching any conflicts of interest? 

All decisions made by Enham’s trustees are bound by Enham's charitable objects and comply with charity law restrictions in any dealings with its assets. 

How does this further Enham Trust’s mission? 

The move would create much-needed income for Enham Trust, helping us to safeguard the charity’s future and continue supporting those who rely on us. Within our general needs homes, priority for disabled people would continue to be upheld by Aster in accordance with Enham’s charitable objects. 

I’m concerned that Enham Trust and Enham Alamein’s history and heritage is not being protected through this move? 

Enham Trust is now part of Aster Group and moving the general needs tenancies to Aster 3 Ltd would ensure that affected homes remain within the Aster family. 

As outlined, this move would benefit the charity by transferring debt across to the main Group. By releasing Enham Trust of the financial constraints of the general needs housing stock, we could focus our resources on furthering our core mission to support disabled people to live, work and enjoy life. Nothing else would change as a result of this transfer, including Enham’s history and heritage which Enham and Aster are proud to upkeep. 

We understand that some of the homes affected play a key role in Enham’s history and heritage, each with their own story to tell, and it is through this transfer that we as a Group can best ensure these homes remain protected. This includes ensuring they are well-maintained, safe and secure. 

Aster is also committed to ensuring the existing housing allocation and nomination processes remain as they are. This is of course subject to any future changes to government policy that may be placed upon the Group, as standard. 

Don’t you have to offer any donated homes back to the original donor before selling, transferring or disposing of these properties? If so, will you be upholding this? 

Under UK charity law, particularly the Charities Act 2011 (as amended by the Charities Act 2022), we can generally sell or transfer charity land in this way, provided we are able to confirm ownership and the authority to dispose; act in the charity’s best interests; obtain a qualified surveyor’s report; and avoid conflicts of interest. We believe we have satisfied all of these points. 

What does this mean for me? 

Aster would be more able to ensure that your home is improved and maintained to a better standard. Aside from this, you wouldn’t see any changes to the way your tenancy is managed. The terms of your tenancy agreement would remain the same and you would continue to contact us in the same way as you have before.  

Am I still an Enham customer? 

Your tenancy would sit with Aster and you would therefore become an Aster customer. You however would remain and continue to be treated as a valuable member of the Enham community.  You would still receive the Enham version of the Aster customer e-shot, keeping you in the know on all things Enham. You can sign up to the eShot using the online form on Aster’s website. 

For those who receive other services provided by Enham Trust, such as our Choices participants and supported employees, you would also remain an Enham customer in line with service you receive. 

Would I still receive services from Enham’s Estates team? 

You would continue receiving the same services as before, provided by the same teams. 

What about service charges, following recent issues there? 

The amount of service charge that you may need to pay would not be affected by this transfer.  

How many homes are you moving over? 

We propose to move 163 homes currently registered to Enham Trust over to Aster 3 Ltd. The homes affected fall under Enham Trust’s ‘General Needs’ housing provision. 

Can I choose for my home not to be transferred to Aster 3 Ltd? 

We are listening to all residents impacted by this proposed transfer and welcome your feedback. Email the Housing Team on [email protected] or call us on 01264 345837 to register your feedback or book a face-to-face appointment. You can also attend our drop-in session at Landale Wilson hall between 3pm-7pm on Thursday 6 November 2025. Please provide feedback on this by Friday 12 December 2025. 

Will you be changing my tenancy? 

The only changes to your tenancy would be the change in registered provider. Everything else would remain exactly the same.  

If everything is remaining exactly the same apart from the registered provider, why is there a need for a period where we can provide feedback? 

We are always keen to hear from you about any change we propose that may affect your tenancy in any way, and so this period allows us the opportunity to explain why we are suggesting this change, and you the opportunity to ask any questions or provide feedback about it. 

Do I have to call a different number to report a repair? 

No. You can still call the team on 01264 324917 or report an issue online via MyAster or by completing a form on www.aster.co.uk or www.enhamtrust.org.uk/contact. 

Will my Neighbourhood Officer stay the same? 

Yes. The team and the services you receive would remain exactly the same under Aster 3 Ltd as it was under Enham Trust. 

Will your charitable objects continue to be met if this transfer goes ahead? 

Yes. Enham Trust would continue to provide accommodation that supports the charity’s care and support provision. This includes residential care homes, independent living accommodation and transitional housing. Our Charity Constitution and charitable objects will therefore also not be subject to change. 

Can unaffected tenants and residents living within the village have their say? 

Interested parties are very welcome to offer their feedback regarding the proposed transfer. All feedback is appreciated and helps us to inform any potential next steps.