Types of council home tenancies

We offer different types of tenancy, depending on your circumstances.

Introductory tenancy

New council tenants may be offered an introductory tenancy. These usually last 12 months and are like a ‘trial’ period.

You automatically become a secure or flexible tenant after 12 months, unless we have either:

  • started action to evict you
  • extended your introductory tenancy for a further 6 months

The maximum period for an introductory tenancy is 18 months.

There are limits to what you can do with an introductory tenancy, for example you cannot:

  • make major improvements to the property
  • swap your property with another council tenant
  • apply to buy your home through the Right to Buy scheme

Flexible tenancy

This is a tenancy that lasts for a set period.

At the end of the fixed period we may decide to:

  • offer you another fixed-term tenancy
  • offer you a secure tenancy
  • not renew your tenancy

If we decide not to renew your tenancy, we will give you:

  • at least 6 months' notice
  • a chance to challenge the decision

As a flexible tenant you can:

Secure tenancy

As a secure tenant, you can normally live in the property for the rest of your life, as long as you do not break the conditions of the tenancy.

You can:

We will not interfere with your right to live in the property unless:

  • we have to take action against you 
  • you break your tenancy conditions
  • we need to enter your home for a repair 

We can only end a secure tenancy if we follow the legal process.

Demoted tenancy

This is a temporary tenancy with fewer rights, usually used where there have been serious tenancy issues such as antisocial behaviour.

Demoted tenancies usually last for 12 months.

During this time, your rights are reduced and we can take action more quickly if problems continue.

For example, you do not have the right to:

  • exchange your home
  • take over the tenancy if the person named on the tenancy agreement dies

If your tenancy is managed successfully during this period, it will usually return to a more secure tenancy at the end of the demotion period.

If problems continue, we may take further action to end your tenancy.

Licence agreements

If you are living in temporary accommodation, you will have a licence agreement while the council considers your housing application.

The licence will remain in place until we make a decision about your housing application.

Licensees have fewer rights than flexible or secure tenants.

As a licensee, you cannot:

  • buy your home through the Right to Buy scheme
  • exchange your tenancy
  • make improvements to your home
  • keep a pet if you live in shared accommodation

Make a change to your tenancy

If you need to make changes to your tenancy go to manage your tenancy.