When you rent a home from us, you will be given a tenancy agreement. This sets out your rights and responsibilities, and our responsibilities to you.

We are committed to helping you keep your tenancy and providing support when needed.

Types of tenancy

Introductory tenancy

Most new tenants start with an introductory tenancy. This usually lasts for 12 months and allows you to show that you can keep to the terms of your tenancy agreement.

If you meet the conditions of your tenancy, it will normally become a secure tenancy. In some circumstances, we may extend the introductory period by six months.

An introductory tenancy does not include the:

• Right to Buy
• right to a mutual exchange
• right to carry out certain improvements to your home
• right to take in a lodger or sublet part of your home

Secure tenancy

A secure tenancy gives you greater security in your home.

Your tenancy may be a:

• fixed term tenancy for a set period
• periodic tenancy that continues unless it is legally ended

We normally grant secure tenancies after the successful completion of an introductory tenancy.

Temporary accommodation

If you are staying in temporary accommodation provided by us, different tenancy arrangements may apply depending on your circumstances and the type of accommodation you are living in.

Joint tenancies

A joint tenancy is where two people share legal responsibility for a tenancy agreement. We will consider requests for a joint tenancy from people living together as partners.

Changes to a tenancy

Assignment

Assignment is the legal transfer of a tenancy from one person to another. This can happen in certain circumstances and usually requires formal legal documentation and our agreement.

Mutual exchange

A mutual exchange is when tenants agree to swap homes with another social housing tenant. You must apply for permission and receive written approval before moving.

Succession

Succession is when a tenancy passes to another person after the tenant has died. Whether someone can take over a tenancy depends on their relationship to the tenant, the tenancy agreement and housing law.

Looking after your home

You are responsible for keeping your garden tidy and well maintained.

You should:

• keep grass cut during the growing season
• maintain hedges, shrubs and trees
• keep borders free from weeds
• get permission before removing fences, hedges or trees
• get permission before planting trees

You must report repairs as soon as possible so that problems can be dealt with before they get worse. You may be charged if a repair becomes more expensive because a problem was not reported in good time.

Some minor repairs are your responsibility.

Ending your tenancy

If you want to move out, you must give us at least four weeks' written notice. You remain responsible for the tenancy, including paying rent, until the notice period ends and the tenancy has officially ended.

We will always try to support you to keep your home where possible. Possession action is only considered after other options have been explored.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

Everyone has the right to live peacefully in their home. We take reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and work with partner organisations, including the police, where appropriate.

Keeping pets

You must get our written permission before keeping a dog in your home. More information is available on our webpage.

Tenancy fraud

Tenancy fraud affects the availability of social housing and will be investigated.

Examples of tenancy fraud include:

• subletting your home without permission
• abandoning your property
• providing false information to obtain a tenancy
• making false claims for housing-related benefits

You must use your home as your main residence and follow the conditions of your tenancy agreement. If we find evidence of tenancy fraud, we may take enforcement action.