Types of tenancies
If you became a tenant:
Before 15 January 1989, you are a Secure Tenant.
After 15 January 1989, you are an Assured Tenant.
You may have a Joint Secure or Assured Tenancy, where two or more adults have signed the tenancy agreement and have equal responsibility for the rent and service charges.
Secure Tenants may have the right to buy their home.
Probationary tenancies
When you first move into your home, you will be give a probationary tenancy. Probationary tenancies are Assured Shorthold Tenancies which last for a 12 month period. Provided you have kept to your conditions of tenancy your Assured Shorthold Tenancy will be converted to an Assured Tenancy after 12 months.
Where there have been breaches of the tenancy agreement, for example anti- social behaviour or rent arrears, we may extend the probationary tenancy. In the case of a serious breach of tenancy, we will take action to end the tenancy.
Security of tenure
Under most of our tenancies, you can live in your home as long as you wish, so long as you keep to the terms of your tenancy agreement.
The only exception would be if you had a shorthold agreement. This would have been clearly pointed out at the start of your tenancy.
Your partner or another family member who has been living with you may be able to inherit your tenancy in the event of your death, but not if you inherited the tenancy.
Breaking your tenancy and eviction
Your tenancy may be ended if you break the terms set out in the tenancy agreement. This could be because of:
- Failure to pay your rent
- Failure to pay off any arrears you have accrued
- Anti-Social Behaviour
If you do breach your tenancy agreement:
- We will contact you and warn you we may have to take legal proceedings if there is not a positive improvement to the situation
- If there is no improvement, we will apply to the County Court for a Possession Order
- We have to prove to the Court that you have failed to meet the terms of you tenancy
- The Court will usually grant us an Order for Possession
- We will end your tenancy
If you are experiencing problems meeting your rent payments, please contact us immediately so we can help you. Go to our Financial Help page for more information.