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Your Tenancy

Security of Tenure:

You are a secure tenant (under Part IV of the Housing Act 1985). This means that your tenancy can only be ended by a court order. H&F Homes can only get a court order if it can prove that one of the reasons described in the "grounds for possession" section (of the tenants handbook) applies.

You will remain a secure tenant as long as you live in your home as your only or principal home. It is a condition of your tenancy that you must live in the property. So if you do not, you may loose your security of tenure, which would mean losing your rights as a secure tenant.

You have signed a tenancy agreement, which is a legal contract. It makes clear H & F Homes' responsibilities to you and your obligations to H & F Homes and your neighbours.

H & F Homes can make changes to your tenancy agreement. However, to do this must consult with all tenants about the proposed changes and their likely effects, (unless they are about rent or other charges). It must ask all tenants for comments and views. If H & F Homes decides to go ahead with the changes, it must give 4 weeks' notice.

(Please click on Probationary Tenancies to read the latest information on the new probationary tenancy scheme.)

Your Rights:

You have a number of rights as a secure tenant:

  • You cannot be evicted or moved out of your home without H & F Homes providing a good reason
  • You must be provided with a good repairs and maintenance service
  • You must be asked about decisions that affect the management of your home or estate
  • In some cases your tenancy can be inherited by a member of your family
  • You can buy your home (providing certain conditions are met)
  • You can carry ourt some improvements to your home (but you may need to get H & F Homes' permission first)
  • You can exchange your home with another tenant, or have lodgers in your home (providing certain conditions are met)

Your Duties:

You have duties as a secure tenant as well as rights:

These are set out in Section 2 of your tenancy agreement. If you do not keep to these duties, the council may want to end your tenancy

This could happen if, for example:

  • You do not pay your rent
  • You do not live in the property as your only or principal home
  • You made a false statement in order to get your tenancy
  • Nuisance, noise, danger or harassment is caused to neighbours or other people in the local area, by you or someone who lives in or visits your home
  • You have damaged or not looked after your home and have not done the repairs you are responsible for
  • You give over your home and tenancy rights to someone else without H & H Homes' written approval

If you want any advice about your tenancy or the tenancy agreement, contact your local housing officer at the area housing office.

If you would like to see the tenants handbook in full please click here