Tenant Responsibilities
As a tenant, you have important responsibilities to ensure a harmonious living environment. Here’s an overview of key obligations:
Paying Your Rent
- Timely Payments: Rent and any associated charges must be paid on time. Rent is payable weekly in advance every Monday. For more details on payment options, please refer to the section “Rent Payments”.
Looking After Your Home
- Home Care: You are responsible for maintaining your home and preventing damage. Deliberate damage or vandalism will incur charges that you will be responsible for.
- Maintenance: Keep the interior clean and well-decorated. Major alterations (e.g., structural changes) require our written permission.
- Exterior Maintenance: You must also keep the garden and outside areas tidy. For repair responsibilities. For more details, please refer to the section “Maintenance”.
Using Your Home
- Residential Use Only: The property is intended for you and your immediate family to live in. Running a business from home is not allowed without our permission, although limited self-employment activities may be considered.
- Pets: You cannot keep pets without prior approval. Requests will be evaluated based on property suitability.
Nuisance and Harassment
- Respect for Neighbours: You must not cause nuisance or harassment to others, including being accountable for the behaviour of your guests. For more details, please refer to the section “anti-social behaviour”.
Access to Your Home
- Maintenance Access: You must allow access for necessary repairs and inspections. Generally, you will receive advance notice unless it’s an emergency. Always ask for identification from visitors on our behalf. For more details, please refer to the section “maintenance”.
Shared Areas
- Cleanliness: If you live in a shared building, keep communal areas tidy and free from rubbish and obstructions. Smoking is prohibited in these areas.
Car Parking
- Parking Guidelines:
- Park only on public roads or designated areas.
- Do not block access or park on grass or pathways.
- Some estates may require a parking permit, which should be displayed on your vehicle.
Rights and Responsibilities of New Tenants
New tenants do not have the same rights as established tenants during the first 12 months. Specifically, you do not have the right to:
- Exchange homes with any other tenant.
- Take in lodgers.
What Happens If You Do Not Keep to Your Tenancy Agreement?
If you break the terms and conditions of your tenancy, we will contact you to outline the steps you need to take to rectify the situation. Continued breaches may result in legal action, which could lead to:
- An injunction, which is a court order requiring you to comply with the tenancy terms, primarily used against tenants causing unreasonable annoyance to others (e.g., excessive noise, threats, violence).
Ending Your Tenancy
You can end your tenancy by providing one week’s written notice to the Commissioners and returning your keys. For more details, please refer to the section “Ending your Tenancy”
We cannot end your tenancy unless:
- You break one or more conditions of your tenancy.
- We need your home for another reason, such as clearance for redevelopment.
- We obtain a court order for possession.
During the first year of your tenancy, we closely monitor tenants to ensure compliance with the agreement. Housing Officers may visit to address any issues promptly.
If we seek to terminate your tenancy, will follow the Guidance for Housing Authorities on the Management of Arrears and Prevention of Evictions in Public Sector. We will:
- Warn you in writing that we plan to take legal action and serve you with a Notice to Quit.
- Apply to court for a Possession Order. If granted, this could result in your eviction.
We will always provide you with every opportunity to resolve issues and try to avoid court action.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Housing Team if you have any questions.