Your Tenancy

If for any reasons you are unable to keep up-to-date with rent payments, you should contact us immediately. We will arrange to visit you to discuss the situation in a sensitive manner to identify the reason for non-payment. We will also provide you with any relevant advice on welfare benefits etc. ​

You will be expected to make an arrangement for the payment of arrears.
Whatever the reason for non-payment of rent, it is important that once an arrangement is made for repayment it is strictly maintained. If agreements to pay rent arrears are not kept, or rent arrears continue to increase, the Association will be forced to consider further action. ​

If there are arrears on your tenancy we may consider taking court action, particularly if you have not kept to a previously agreed arrangement. This may ultimately lead to your eviction. ​

The first step in this process involves the issuing of a Notice of Seeking Possession (NSP). The NSP gives you 28 days to arrange to pay the arrears. If you receive an NSP it is vital that you contact us or an independent agency for immediate advice. ​
The NSP remains valid for 12 months after it has been issued and at any time during that period the Association can apply to the County Court for a hearing unless the account is clear. You will be notified in advance of the date of the court hearing, and it is important that you attend. ​

If you are in rent arrears, the County Court will be asked to give the Association a Possession Order on your home which will allow us to evict you. ​

This order may be suspended which will allow you to remain in your home, provided you keep to the terms of payment which the court has set. You will also have to pay the costs of any court action taken. ​

The Court Order will be valid until the arrears are cleared and the costs paid. ​

If the Court suspends the Possession Order it is vital that you keep to the terms of the Order for the repayment of the arrears. If you fail to comply with the Court Order the Association can, without a further hearing in Court, request the court bailiff to take possession of your home. In these circumstances the Association will not provide you with alternative accommodation. ​

Your tenancy may be terminated on a Monday provided you give us one month’s notice in writing (Letter or Email). For example, if you intend to move out on Monday the 28th, you should inform us no later than the last day of the previous month.

Your tenancy will not be terminated until you return the keys to us. Even if you have given the required notice in writing, we will continue to charge rent until we receive the keys.

It is, of course, essential that you leave your house in a good clean condition. If any repair or redecoration is needed you will be charged for it.
You should remove all your furniture and property leaving the dwelling empty. We will pass on the cost of removing any items left behind to you.

Do not forget to have your meters read in order to avoid having to pay for any electricity, gas or water used by the next tenant.

Remember to have the telephone disconnected.

Please remember to have your mail redirected and give us your forwarding address so that we can send on any mail.

If you receive housing benefit or Universal Credit remember to inform your local authority or the Department of Work & Pensions that you are moving.

If the property is fitted with oil-fired central heating must make sure that you leave at least as much oil in the storage tank as was there when you moved in to the property.