What type of tenancy will I be given?

You will normally be granted an assured tenancy. This is a secure form of tenancy and your rights are listed below.

In certain circumstances we may grant an assured shorthold tenancy. We will do this:

• For some types of supported accommodation where support is provided for a limited period;
• If the property is only for short term use
• If we have allowed you to stay in the property temporarily while we find more suitable accommodation (for example after the tenant has died).

A shorthold tenancy is a less secure form of tenancy than an assured. At the end of the fixed period or, if there is no fixed period, any time after six months we can ask you to leave the property. We will give you notice, but if you don’t leave we will be able to get a court order to make you do so.

Your assured tenancy agreement and right to stay in the property

The tenancy agreement that you have signed is a legal agreement that sets out the rules and responsibilities that apply to you and us.

You have certain rights under the Housing Act 1988. These include the right not to be evicted from your home unless we get a possession order from the courts. The courts can only grant an order on a limited number of grounds. These grounds include breaking the conditions of your tenancy agreement. However they also include:

• A member of the household being convicted of an arrestable offence, in or near the property.
• Gaining the tenancy by giving false information
• Damaging the property, the shared areas or furniture we have provided
• The need to demolish or refurbish your property
• If the tenant has died and other members of the household do not have the right to succeed to the tenancy
• If, as a result of domestic abuse, a member of the family has left the property and will not return.

It is a criminal offence for us to evict you without an order from the court or to harass you or interfere with your possessions or use of facilities in order to force you to leave.

If you are in any doubt bout your legal rights and obligations, particularly if we have asked you to leave, you should go to a citizens advice bureau, housing aid centre, law centre or solicitor. Help with all or part of the cost of legal advice from a solicitor may be available.

You can download the booklet "Assured and assured shorthold tenancies: a guide for tenants” which has been produced by the Government here.