CouncilSigning a new tenancy
When you are allocated a council property, you enter into a legal contract with the council. This is called the tenancy agreement
A tenancy agreement is the document you sign when you agree to become the tenant of your new home. The council will give you a copy of your tenancy agreement and tell you when your tenancy date will start. This is the date from which you should start paying rent on your new home.
The council will also give you information on:
- contact details for your local housing office
- tenancy agreement rules
- information on anti social behaviour
- the council’s repairs policy
- probationary tenancies
- paying your rent
- home insurance
- housing benefit
How to pay your rent
There are a number of ways you can pay your rent, for example, by swipe card at your local post office or by cheque at your local one stop shop. The council will explain the options to you when you sign your tenancy agreement.
The council has introduced swipe cards to make paying rent more convenient. We will send a swipe card to your new address normally within 5 to 10 days of your tenancy start date. You can use the swipe card to make rent payments at your local post office, PayPoint or PayZone outlets. You will not need a swipe card if you make rent payments by standing order.
If you have not received your swipe card within 5 to 10 days of your tenancy start date please contact your local housing office straight away.
After you have moved into your new home …
A local housing officer will arrange to visit you, usually within the first, sixth and twelfth months of your new tenancy. This is to make sure that you settle into you new home. We will agree these visits with you, in advance, when you sign for your new tenancy.
You can use these visits to talk through any worries or problems you may have about your tenancy. We’ll make sure you have understood your rights and responsibilities and check that you have received any allowances, as agreed at the time of your viewing. We can also work with you to identify any support needs you may have.
For further information about signing a new tenancy, or if you have any comments or queries, please use the contact details below
Related services
Contact us & further information
For further information on the above, or any other issues you may have concerning your tenancy agreement, please contact your local housing office.
