Starter tenancy
If you are a new housing association tenant you may be offered a starter tenancy – normally lasting 12 months.
This is to prove you are a responsible tenant before the housing association offers you an assured tenancy. Your starter tenancy can be ended easily if you break the tenancy conditions.
Tenancy conditions are ‘rules’ about living in the property – like paying the rent on time.
As a starter tenant you must, for example:
- pay the rent on time
- keep the property in good condition
- make sure that anyone living at, or visiting the property does not cause a nuisance to neighbours
- not use the property for doing something illegal – e.g. drug dealing
- let workmen into your property to carry out repairs
Your tenancy agreement is a legal document and states all the conditions about living in the property – it also details most of your rights. Your housing association should explain the tenancy in detail before you sign it. Your landlord has to:
- maintain the structure and exterior of your home
- make sure things like gas and electricity appliances are in good working order – as well as sinks and toilets.
You will usually become an assured tenant 12 months from the date your starter tenancy began.
If your housing association thinks that you have broken (breached) the conditions of your tenancy agreement it may extend your starter tenancy.
Your housing association can also start action to evict you.