Introductory tenancies

Before any new tenants of the company can be permanent they must first have a twelve-month period as an 'introductory' tenant.

What is an Introductory Tenancy?

An introductory tenancy exists for the first twelve-months of your tenancy, during which we will make sure that you act responsibly and follow the conditions of the tenancy agreement. If there are no problems during the twelve-months an introductory tenant automatically becomes a secure tenant.

Who will become an introductory tenant?

All new tenants will become introductory tenants. This does not apply to existing tenants who transfer, or mutual exchanges between secure tenants.

How do introductory tenants differ from secure tenants?

As an introductory tenant you cannot:

• Apply for the right to buy your home (however, the period of introductory tenancy may count for future discount purposes).
• Vote for a change to a new landlord.

What rights do I have?

You have the:

• Right to succession
• Right to repair
• Right to be consulted on housing-management issues.

In certain circumstances, we may let you:

• Take in a lodger
• Transfer your home
• Sublet your home
• Make a structural change to the property.

For this, you must first get our permission in writing. We may refuse permission if you do not meet certain conditions.

Introductory tenants have the right to:

• Be told about introductory tenancies and our duties to repair.
• Be consulted on housing matters and kept up to date about any changes that affect introductory tenancies.
• In certain circumstances, move to another council property if there is a good management reason for doing so.

In these cases the new tenancy would also be an introductory tenancy. But the previous tenancy would count towards the twelve-month period.

Introductory tenants have some but not all of the automatic rights of secure tenants. The following table shows your rights as an introductory tenant compared with secure tenants.

You should always contact your nearest office of The Gateshead Housing Company before carrying out any of the following (numbers 1 to 8), as you may need written permission.

Introductory tenants can also apply to their housing office where they do not have a statutory right to carry out one of the following as they may still be given permission.

What is an introductory tenant responsible for?

You must:

• Pay the weekly rent
• Keep the property clean and decorated
• Respect your neighbours and not cause a nuisance
• Make sure that anyone living at, or visiting the property, does not cause a nuisance
• Not cause overcrowding
• Keep the garden in a neat and tidy condition
• Allow access to your home for inspections and repairs
• Give us four-week’s notice to end the introductory tenancy.

What happens if the introductory tenant breaks the tenancy agreement?

We can end the tenancy if an introductory tenant breaks any conditions of the tenancy agreement.

For example by:

• Failing to pay the weekly rent
• Causing or allowing visitors to cause a nuisance or annoyance.

A housing officer will visit the tenant to discuss the matter and try to sort out any difficulties.

If, however, the tenant has broken any conditions of the tenancy agreement we may issue a notice of termination.

This will tell the tenant that we will be asking the County Court for an immediate possession order.

What happens next?

The introductory tenant has the right to ask us to review our decision to end the tenancy.

We will include a form to ask for a review with the notice of termination.

Extending an Introductory Tenancy.

An introductory tenancy can be extended for a further six months if the tenant has caused anti-social behaviour.

To do this we will give you a legal notice, eight weeks before your tenancy is due to become secure.

You can ask for our decision to be reviewed and we will give you details on how to do this.

Where can I get more information?

Please ask at your nearest housing office for more information.

Our employees will help with any housing queries you may have.

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