Renting a housing association or council home

When you rent through a housing association or a council you become a tenant. As a tenant, you have rights and responsibilities. A housing association or a council are both known as a registered provider of social housing. These are landlords of social housing properties. For example, Hyde Housing is a Housing Association. Chichester District Council does not own council housing.

How social housing works

Social housing is provided by housing associations or a local authority.

Rent is typically lower than private renting, and tenancy agreements usually offer more stability.

Your rights and responsibilities as a tenant

When you rent a home through a housing association or the council, you have important rights and responsibilities:

Your rights:

A safe and well-maintained home
Protection from unfair eviction
The right to request repairs and maintenance
Security of tenure, meaning you cannot be asked to leave without a legal reason

Your responsibilities:

Pay your rent on time
Look after your home
Follow tenancy rules
Inform your landlord of any issues with your home

Types of tenancies

The type of tenancy you have affects your rights and how easy it is for your landlord to end the agreement::

Introductory tenancy or 'secure' tenancy. This usually lasts 12 months and is a trial period. If there are no issues, it can become a secure or assured tenancy.
Secure tenancy. Offered by councils, this allows you to live in the property indefinitely if you follow the rules.
Assured tenancy. Commonly used by housing associations, this also provides long-term security.
Fixed-term tenancy. A tenancy that lasts for a set period, after which it may be renewed or ended.

Evictions

Your landlord can only evict you for specific legal reasons and must follow correct process.

Common reasons for eviction

Rent arrears. If you fall behind on rent, your landlord should contact you to arrange repayments that are fair and affordable. If the rent arrears are not cleared, they may start eviction proceedings.
Breach of tenancy agreement. This includes anti-social behaviour or damaging the property.
Property being redeveloped. In rare cases, tenants may be asked to move if major works are needed.

The eviction process

Notice from the landlord

You will receive a written notice explaining why they want to end your tenancy.

Your landlord will send you a notice seeking possession. The notice period provided will depend on the reasons for the eviction, when you received the noticed and who your landlord is (a housing association or a council). You are usually entitled to at least:

4 weeks' notice if you have a secure tenancy
2 weeks' notice if you have an assured tenancy

You're normally entitled to at least 2 months' notice if you are being evicted due to no fault of your own.

Court proceedings

If the issue is not resolved, the landlord can apply to court for a possession order. Court action must commence within 1 year, or the notice will expire and can no longer be used to evict you. Your housing association or council can start court action once the date in your notice has passed.

If you have not vacated the property at the end of the notice period, your landlord will likely seek possession of the property using court action.

Bailiff eviction

If the court grants an eviction order, bailiffs may be sent to remove you from the property.

What to do if you face eviction

If you face eviction, you should:

Contact your landlord to discuss repayment options if rent arrears are the issue.
Immediately speak to the council's Housing Advice team or Citizens Advice Bureau. Do not wait until it's too late to remain in your home.
Attend court hearings as you have the right to explain your situation to a judge.
Check if the eviction is legal. Some evictions may be challenged if the correct procedures are not followed.

You can also visit Shelter - What happens if a council or housing association evict you? (opens new window) For further information on evictions, court action and hearings.

Alternatively, you can contact Chichester District Council's Housing Advice team (opens new window).

Health & safety

Social landlords have responsibilities to make sure your home is safe for you to live in. Please view our health and safety advice for tenants by visiting Report a housing hazard.

Mutual exchanges

A mutual exchange is when you swap your social housing property legally with another housing association or council tenant. You may choose to do this if you wish to move to another area. Generally, the council's allocation scheme does not permit a household onto the housing register if they are deemed as adequately housed. Exceptional circumstances will be considered. Mutual Exchange could be a solution if you are not eligible to re-join the housing register.

You will need to find someone to swap homes with. There are exchange websites that can help you do this:

For further information on mutual exchanges, please visit Shelter - Tenancy exchanges or mutual exchanges (opens new window).

The council's housing register

The council operates a choice-based lettings register for social and affordable homes provided by housing associations across the district. For more information please visit Housing register.

Contact us

For more information and advice email housingadvice@chichester.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can phone 01243 534734.

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