Your tenancy agreement
All tenants sign a tenancy agreement (pdf, 491kb). This is the legal document that covers the terms and conditions of your tenancy. Keep your tenancy agreement in a safe place as it will help you get the most out of your new home. If you have any questions, contact us.
It is important that you understand the terms and conditions of the agreement because you are bound by them. They help you understand what you can and cannot do in and around your home. We have an easy read tenancy agreement (pdf, 837kb) that makes everything clear.
The tenancy agreement clearly explains your responsibilities, including those concerning:
Access to your property
We may need to gain access to your home to carry out any necessary inspections, maintenance or repairs, or for any other reasonable purpose. We will usually give a minimum 24 hours’ notice unless there is an emergency and this is not possible.
Tenancy visits
We will carry out an audit of your property and tenancy every three years in order to ensure that our records are up to date. This will involve visiting your property to carry out an inspection, and taking details of who is living in the property.
You are required under the terms and conditions of your tenancy to allow access, provided that reasonable notice is given.
Failure to allow access can be seen as a breach of tenancy and therefore further action may be taken to gain access to the property.
Gardens
You are responsible for maintaining your garden and keeping it tidy. Trees and hedges should be trimmed however, if you think a tree is in a dangerous condition, contact housing.repairs@southderbyshire.gov.uk. If you want to put a shed, greenhouse or any other type of outbuilding in your garden you should obtain our written permission first.
Pets
Your Tenancy Agreement allows you to keep up to one dog and one cat. You must apply to us in writing if you wish to keep any more than this. You’re responsible for controlling your pets, making sure they do not disturb neighbours or damage the property.