Your council tenancy
When you move into a council-owned property, you sign a tenancy agreement.
Your tenancy agreement is a legal contract between you and the council. It tells you:
your rights and responsibilities as a tenant of the council
our duties as your landlord
the type of tenancy you have with us
It’s important that you read the terms and conditions of the tenancy.
You must make sure that you keep to the terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement. Your visitors and any lodgers you may have must do this too.
What we’re responsible for
As part of your tenancy agreement we’ll:
- carry out repairs to your home
- look after your estate and communal areas
- carry out gas and electricity safety checks
Your rights as a tenant
Your tenancy agreement and conditions sets out your rights as a tenant. They include your rights to:
- improve the condition of your property
- take in a lodger or sub-tenant
- buy your home
- swap your home
- pass on your tenancy to someone that qualifies
- enjoy living in your home without nuisance or interference from others
- to be consulted on any changes affecting your home or your tenancy
- get information we have about you or your tenancy
If you break your tenancy agreement
We can:
- extend your trial period by six months or end your tenancy, if you’re an introductory tenant
- get a court order to take back your home, if you’re a secure tenant
Ending your tenancy
You must let us know when you want to move out of your home. You’ll need to do this in writing at least 28 days in advance.
To end your tenancy, you’ll need to:
- complete the Tenant's Notice to Quit form (PDF 391 KB)
- if you’re on benefits, tell our Council Tax and Housing Benefit Teams that you’re moving
- make sure you do not owe any rent
- let your gas, electricity and water suppliers know that you are moving out
- leave the property clean and tidy. Make sure you remove all your belongings including carpets, furniture and appliances
- hand in a full set of keys to the Housing Office before midday on the Monday your tenancy ends
If you don’t follow these steps, you’ll need to pay extra charges.
If you think the amount on your former rent account is wrong
You can ask us to dispute it.
You’ll need to tell us:
- which part of the balance you think is wrong
- why you think it is wrong, for example a missing payment, wrong tenancy date, or Housing Benefit issue
- the dates your dispute is about, if you know them
This will help us check your rent charges, payments and benefit information.
Documents to support your dispute
You can upload documents that support your dispute, such as:
Payment evidence
- bank statements showing rent payments
- receipts or payment confirmations
- payment dates, amounts and methods
Benefit information
- Housing Benefit letters
- screenshots of your Universal Credit housing element
- emails or letters from the Benefits team
- proof of a claim or change of circumstances
Tenancy information
- your tenancy agreement
- notice to quit or end of tenancy confirmation
- proof of when you moved in or out
Emails or letters
- emails or letters sent to Housing, Rent or Benefits teams
- proof that you told us about a change, such as moving out or a household change
Other information
- information about financial hardship or vulnerabilities, if this applies to you
- any other documents that support your dispute
How to dispute
You’ll need to complete an online form to ask us to dispute a former rent arrear.
What happens next?
We’ll investigate your request.
We’ll check your rent account including your rent charges, tenancy dates, payments and any Housing Benefit or welfare benefit information.
We’ll also look at the documents you have sent us. We may ask other teams such as Housing or Benefits to check information.
If we need more information, we’ll let you know.
We’ll write to you with our decision. We’ll explain what we found, any changes we made and what you need to do next.
If the balance is correct, we’ll explain why and give you a clear breakdown.
