Your tenancy agreement

Introductory Council tenancies

For the first 12 months of your first Council tenancy, you will be an introductory tenant. This is a trial period, which allows us to see if you are willing to keep the terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement.

During the trial period, you must show us that you understand your responsibilities to the Council and your neighbours by:

• paying your rent on time
• ensuring that you, or anyone living with you and your visitors, do not cause a nuisance to your neighbours or the local community
• looking after your home and garden
• keeping the other conditions of the tenancy agreement 

Introductory tenants do not have the right to:

• buy their home
• take in lodgers
• sub-let
• make improvements
• exchange their home

If you break the tenancy conditions, we will offer as much advice and support as we can to help you get back on track. However, if you refuse to accept our help or continue to break the rules, we can either extend the trial period for a further six months or evict you.

During the first year, a Housing Officer will visit to ensure all is well. At the end of the first year (or extended period), as long as you have kept to the terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement, you will become a secure tenant.