Tenancy Matters
This is a guide to understanding what assured tenancies are and your main rights as an assured Magna West Somerset tenant.
We use two main types of tenancy, an assured tenancy, and an assured shorthold tenancy. For some types of housing, such as supported housing, we also use a tenancy licence.
What are assured tenancies?
As an assured tenant, a limit has not been set on how long you may rent your home from us. This means that you have security and can't be evicted from your home unless we have a court order.
There are detailed clauses in your tenancy agreement which set out your rights and exactly what you can and can't do, as well as what we can and
can't do. These clauses are important.
Before you move into your home you'll sign a tenancy agreement. This is the contract between you and us, telling you:
• That you have the right to live in your home from a set date providing it is your only or main home
• Your rights and responsibilities
• Our rights and responsibilities
• Your rent and any other charges you must pay and how these will be reviewed
• Our full name and address
• That we are registered with the Tenant Services Authority, who regulate us
• That you have an assured tenancy.
Once you've signed your tenancy agreement, any changes to it can only be made with your agreement. This doesn't apply to changes to your rent and service charges, which can be made following an agreed period of notice from us.
What are assured shorthold tenancies?
As an assured shorthold tenant, you may rent your home from us until we give you notice to leave or until you decide to move.
We also call these "starter tenancies", which last for twelve months. If the terms of the tenancy agreement are kept to, this can then be converted into a full assured tenancy.
If you need any further help you can contact your Housing Officer on freephone 0800 138 6107, a solicitor, the Citizens Advice Bureau or any other advice service.
|