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Tenancy agreement

Your tenancy agreement is a legal contract that you sign when you rent a property from us. It sets out the terms of your tenancy, making it clear what you are responsible for and what we are responsible for. 

There are four different types of tenancy: 

  • Introductory Tenancy

    If you have never been a tenant of a council or housing association, you will start with an Introductory Tenancy. This tenancy is a trial period during which you must show us that you are responsible enough to keep your tenancy. The tenancy will become ‘secure’ after twelve months if we have not taken legal action against you during this time. 

    If you are an introductory tenant, you have fewer rights than secure tenants. For example: 

    • there is no right to buy
    • you cannot take in lodgers or sublet your home
    • you cannot exchange with another tenant
    • you cannot carry out home improvements
  • Secure Tenancy

    Once you have completed your 12 month introductory period you will be eligible to become a ‘secure tenant’. This will happen automatically unless we have taken any form of legal action against you during your introductory tenancy; for example if you have been taken to court for rent arrears or anti-social behaviour. 

    As a secure tenant your main rights are: 

    • to stay in your home unless you have broken the conditions of your tenancy agreement and we have got a court order against you
    • to apply for the right to buy your home
    • in certain circumstances members of your family may be able to take over the tenancy if you die (succession)
  • Assured Shorthold Tenancy

    Stockport Homes own a number of its own properties. Any properties owned by Stockport Homes are either assured or assured shorthold (starter) tenancies. 

    An Assured Shorthold Tenancy is the same as an Introductory Tenancy. Key features include: 

    • Stockport Homes can gain possession of the property if you owe at least two months or eight weeks rent
    • after the first six months, Stockport Homes have an automatic right to possession provided a tenant has been given two months’ notice. This will only happen if the tenant breaches the agreement
    • there is no right to buy
    • there is no right to acquire (similar to right to buy)
  • Assured Tenancy

    Stockport Homes own a number of its own properties. Any properties owned by Stockport Homes are either assured or assured shorthold (starter) tenancies. 

    An Assured Tenancy is the same as a Secure Tenancy. Key features include that you have the: 

    • right to acquire (similar to Right to Buy)
    • right to remain in the property unless Stockport Homes can prove there are no grounds for possession

Please refer to your own Tenancy Agreement for a full list of your rights and responsibilities. 

You can also view a copy of the customer handbook for more information about your tenancy and the services we provide.

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Page last reviewed 10/04/2020