About your tenancy

Starter (assured shorthold) tenancy agreement

A starter tenancy is usually given to new residents.

Starter tenancies last 12 months and are closely monitored to make sure new residents are settling in well and keeping to the terms of the agreement, for example, paying rent on time and not behaving in an anti-social way.

At the end of the 12 months, we’ll review your tenancy and usually agree to an assured tenancy if you haven't broken the agreement.

Assured and secure tenancy agreements

These tenancies give you the right to remain in your property for the rest of your life, as long as you don’t breach the agreement.

We can only end these types of tenancies if we have served you with a notice and have been given a court order. Serious breaches of the tenancy agreement include:

• Rent arrears.
• Nuisance and harassment (anti-social behaviour).
• Property damage.
• Refusal to move out if the property becomes unsafe.

If you receive a notice, please contact us immediately. Wherever possible, we will try to resolve problems without going to court.

Tenancy FAQs

Am I allowed to keep a pet?

Am I allowed to have a lodger?

What happens if the main tenant dies?

Am I able to buy my home?

Am I allowed to make home improvements and alterations?

 

Am I allowed to keep a pet?

If you want to keep fish or small caged animals, you do not need permission. If you wish to keep a different kind of pet (such as dogs or cats) please contact us to get written permission beforehand.

Am I allowed to have a lodger?

Having a lodger could be a great way of helping with your rent, especially if you are under-occupying your home.

If you’re thinking about getting a lodger, please contact us to get written permission beforehand. The rules vary between tenancy agreements so we will ask you for more information before giving you an answer.

Please note you are not allowed to move out and let someone else live in your home; you are also not allowed to sell your tenancy to someone else.
 

What happens if the main tenant dies?

If a tenant dies, a partner or family member may be entitled to take over the tenancy. This is known as succession.

If you are living in a property and the main tenant dies, you should contact us as soon as possible. We will be able to advise you whether or not you can succeed. If you are not entitled to succeed we may consider offering a new tenancy either at the same property or somewhere more suitable.
 

Am I able to buy my home?

You might be able to buy your home from us using Right to Buy or Right to Acquire. If you are interested in buying your home please contact us and we will advise you whether you qualify for either of these schemes.

Am I allowed to make home improvements and alterations?

We hope you’re happy in your home but we understand that you might want to make some changes.

If you want to make alterations that affect the structure of the property or fittings within it, then you must obtain written permission beforehand. 
You cannot make any alterations to your home in the first 12 months of your new tenancy - this is clearly stated in your tenancy agreement. Find out more here