Tenancy Agreement

When successful in finding somewhere to live an appointment will be made to attend the office of the Landlord in order to explain the Tenancy Agreement, Rent and other issues. Service charges are included in the total amount of Rent. Total rent is payable weekly. The Agreement will tell how much the rent is and how much the service charges (if any) will cost. The new tenant will be able to ask any questions at this time.

The new tenant will be asked to sign two copies of theTenancy Agreement. One copy is for the tenant to keep, the other is for the Landlord. This is a Contract between the tenant (service user) and the Landlord (service Provider) about promises regarding the tenancy.

At first an Introductory Tenancy Agreement is offered – sometimes called an ‘Assured Shorthold’ or ‘starter’ tenancy. This is for a new tenant. This Agreement lasts for six or twelve months (depending on organisation) and new tenants are entitled to the same Rights as all other tenants. A Tenancy Agreement is given to be signed which says what is expected of a Tenant. Two copies of this Agreement are signed. One for the tenant to keep and the other one will be kept with the Landlord. This Agreement is a promise to be a good tenant and the Council and Housing Associations promise to be a good Landlord. The Council has a booklet called “Your Rights as a Council Tenant” which will be given when the Tenancy is taken up. They promise to give the tenant all the rights mentioned in the booklet.

After twelve months have passed the tenancy should automatically change into an Assured Tenancy if there have been no problems with the tenancy so far. An Assured tenant will be able to live in the property for the rest of their life if they choose to do so, as long as they keep to the terms of the Tenancy Agreement. Once a tenant becomes an Assured tenant this does not mean that they cannot exchange homes in the future if they wish.