All our key worker homes are rented on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy basis. The tenancy must run for at least six months, or for its fixed term if longer. We also rent our homes on a licence agreement basis, for short term stays.

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement allows either the landlord or tenant to end the tenancy after an initial six month period, by simply serving upon the other party a valid notice to quit. However, you can normally continue to extend your tenancy on a month by month basis thereafter.

We are committed to making sure that you know what your rights are. We will consult with you on any changes to your tenancy agreement or any other changes to the service that we deliver.

Your tenancy agreement is a legal contract that sets out your rights and responsibilities as our tenant. This section summarises those rights and responsibilities in simple terms.

It is important that you read your agreement carefully and understand it. Please ask us if you do not understand something in your tenancy agreement.

Your rights

The right to live in your home.

• You can stay in your home for the length of your tenancy agreement, as long as you keep to the conditions of your tenancy.
• You can live in your home in peace and quiet.
• You can have access to your home, including any shared areas, at all times.
• Some of our tenancies, which are aimed specifically at key workers (nurses, teachers and so on) state that you have the right to live in your home as long as you do not change your job. If this is applicable to you, this will be explained to you when you sign your tenancy. For further information, please contact us.

Repairs

• We must repair and maintain certain parts of your home and keep it in a safe condition.
• Your tenancy agreement clearly sets out what your repair responsibilities are.
• We will carry out repairs to your home within set timescales.

Compensation

• You may be able to claim compensation if we do not do certain repairs on time.
• We will offer you alternative accommodation if we have to do major work to your home.

Consultation

• We will not change your tenancy agreement without your permission.

Getting involved

• We will give you opportunities to get involved and influence services.
• We will consult you on how we manage your home and the services you receive.

Information

• We will show you the information which we have about you, if you ask to see it. (However, there is some information we can't show you).
• We will tell you what rent and service charges you must pay.
• We will tell you beforehand about any change in your rent or service-charge payments.

Opportunities for all

• We will treat you fairly and not unfairly discriminate against you.

Your responsibilities

Everyone has the right to enjoy life in their own way, as long as they don't disturb the people living near them. A good neighbour will accept and understand the different lifestyles of others. The following is a list of your responsibilities.

Rent and service charges

• You are responsible for paying the rent and other charges in line with your tenancy agreement.

Nuisance

• You are responsible for the behaviour of every person living in or visiting your home.
• You are also responsible for your visitors' behaviour in shared areas and in the neighbourhood around your home.
• You and your visitors must not cause a nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to any other person.
• You and your visitors must not throw anything from a window, block or balcony.

Harassment

• You, your family and your visitors must not harass any other person. Examples of harassment include:
  - using or threatening to use violence;
  - using abusive, racist or insulting words or behaviour;
  - damaging or threatening to damage another person's home or belongings;
  - writing threatening, abusive or insulting graffiti; and
  - doing anything that interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of other people.
• You and your visitors must not use or threaten to use violence against any of our employees, agents, or contractors.

Using your home

• You and your visitors must not use your home or any shared area for any illegal activity.
• You and your visitors must not damage or draw graffiti on our property. You may have to pay for repairs or replacements.
• You must not run a business from your home without our permission.
• You must allow our staff or representatives to enter or inspect your home, or carry out any necessary repairs.
• The number of residents in your home cannot exceed the number stated in your tenancy agreement.

Domestic violence

• You must not harass or use mental, emotional or sexual abuse to anyone who lives with you.

Vehicles

• You and your visitors must not park a vehicle anywhere on your property, except in defined parking areas.
• You must not do major car repairs or park an illegal or unroadworthy vehicle on the land around your home or on the road.

In and around your home

• You must not place or store goods in any shared area, or block any corridors, staircases, balconies or lifts.
• You must not put up structures, such as sheds or garages, anywhere on your property without our permission.

Ending the tenancy

• If you have an assured shorthold tenancy with us you cannot give notice until this runs out. Once it runs out you must give is four weeks' notice.
• You must leave your home clean and tidy.