As a Council tenant your tenancy agreement is an important document. It sets out your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, and our obligations as a landlord.
Most new council tenants are 'introductory tenants'. This trial period normally lasts for 12 months, at the end of which time the tenancy automatically becomes a secure tenancy.
There are important differences between introductory and secure tenants. Introductory tenants have fewer legal rights, and if the tenancy agreement is broken it can be ended quickly and easily.
To find out more about introductory tenancies, please read the 'Welcome to your Introductory Tenancy' booklet by clicking here .
A lodger is someone who lives in your household but does not normally have sole or exclusive use of your home or any part of it even if they pay you rent to live there.
If you are a secure tenant you have the right to take in lodgers, as long as this won't lead to the property being overcrowded. If you overcrowd your home by taking in too many lodgers we have a legal responsibility to take action. You are breaking your tenancy agreement if you overcrowd your home in this way.
If you are an introductory tenant you will need written permission from your Housing Officer before taking in lodgers.
Pets are generally allowed in council houses but special rules apply if you live in a flat or maisonette with a shared common entrance, where you must obtain written agreement from the Council that you are allowed to keep a pet.
If you live in Sheltered Housing, extra rules apply. If you live in a flat with a communal entrance, then you would not be allowed to keep a pet, unless it is an assistance animal e.g. guide dog. Smaller pets, such as fish and birds may be allowed but please check with your Housing Officer first.
When a tenant dies, a spouse, civil partner, partner (including same sex partners) or relative may be entitled to take over the tenancy if they have lived in the same house as the tenant. This is called "succession."
To find out more, please read our 'Who Can Take Over The Tenancy When The Tenant Dies?' leaflet by clicking here .
You can change a tenancy from joint to sole or sole to joint providing certain criteria are met. To find out more, depending on your situation please read either our 'How Do You Change Your Tenancy From Joint To Sole?' booklet by clicking here , or our 'How Do You Change Your Tenancy From Sole To Joint?' booklet by clicking here .
Relationship breakdowns are often a complicated issue, not only emotional, but also from a legal perspective in regard to tenancies. Please read our ‘What Can Happen To My Tenancy If My Relationship Breaks Down?’ leaflet by clicking here to find out more.
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