Angry council tenants could launch their own probe into the pros and cons of switching landlords.

In a survey earlier this year, more than 70 per cent voted for Castle Point Council to provide more information about the effects of transferring homes from council control to a housing association.

However, councillors took no action and just noted the survey results.

There are no immediate plans to hand over council homes to a registered social landlord, but under Government guidelines, councils have to study options.

The survey, carried out by consultant John McCormack, revealed around 30 per cent of people in Castle Point did not know what the implications of switching landlords would be and 71 per cent wanted more information on what the potential benefits and risks actually were.

Dave Godfrey, chairman of the committee, said: "Tenants have a right to know if they are going to be better or worse off if there is a change and so I thought we might commission Mr McCormack to do a report."

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