Tenancy agreement
Your tenancy agreement is a legal contract between you and us as the landlord. You will find a full list of your tenancy conditions and responsibilities in your agreement.
As part of your tenancy agreement, you have a number of responsibilities you must follow.
Your tenancy agreement sets out some rules that you, and those who live in or visit your home, must follow by law. Your full tenancy conditions and your rights and responsibilities are listed in your tenancy agreement, but here is a summary of the key points:
- pay all charges for gas, electricity, water and telephone services direct to your providers. We will tell you if you pay water charges directly to us
- not run a business from your home without our permission in writing or use your property for any criminal, illegal or immoral purposes
- not cause a nuisance, annoyance or excessive noise, or allow your visitors to do so
- not harass, threaten or use violence or intimidate people
- report promptly any repair or defect for which Lewisham Council is responsible
- allow workmen, employees or agents access at all reasonable hours to inspect the condition of the premises or to carry out repairs or other works to the premises or adjoining property. (Lewisham Council will usually give at least 24 hours notice but immediate access may be required in an emergency)
- not cause any damage to the premises or the fixtures and fittings belonging to Lewisham Council
- not keep on the premises any mobile gas heaters, cylinders, oil-burning appliances, paraffin or petrol
- not use the parking area (if any) for any purpose except the parking of a road worthy and properly licensed motor vehicle for private use
- keep all communal areas clean, tidy and free from obstructions and rubbish which might cause injury nuisance and annoyance to others
- ensure any pets Lewisham Council has given you permission to keep at your property do not cause a nuisance or foul in public or communal areas
- use the bin chutes and recycling bins properly
- keep your garden tidy if you have one
For more information about your tenancy agreement, please contact us.
Looking after your property
Your tenancy agreement states that you will be recharged reasonable costs for any damage that you have caused at the end of your tenancy. This includes clearing dumped items from communal areas or changing locks because we’ve had to force entry into your property. There is also an administrative fee of 15% and any legal bills associated.
We also expect you to leave your property clear of rubbish when ending a tenancy.
Going away
If you are going to be away from your home for more than two months you will need to inform your Housing Officer and give the anticipated date you will return.
If you are away for more than two months without informing us, we will assume you have abandoned the property and steps will be taken to regain possession and re-let the premises.
Succession
A secure or introductory tenancy has one right of succession. Applications for succession must be submitted within 28 days of the death. Our tenancy agreement allows for a qualifying family member to apply for succession, providing they can prove the relationship, meet the residency criteria and have been living in the property as their main and only home.
If one of the joint tenants passes away the succession must be to the surviving joint tenant. If succession is granted you may still be asked to move to an alternative property.
Different types of tenancies
Introductory tenancy
Introductory tenancies are held between the tenant and us as the landlord. They are given to new social housing residents. This tenancy becomes secure after 12 months, providing the terms of the tenancy are kept to and the introductory period isn’t extended.
Secure tenancy
Secure tenancies are held between the tenant and us as the landlord. They are given to transferring social housing residents who already have a secure or assured tenancy.
Hostel licence
Hostel licences are held between the tenant and us as the landlord. They are given to temporary accommodation residents who live in a hostel.
Non-secure tenancy
Non-secure tenancies are held between the tenant and us as the landlord. They are given to temporary accommodation residents in certain types of accommodation, such as private sector leased properties.
Assured shorthold tenancy
Assured shorthold tenancies are held between the tenant and us. They are given to residents who live in Lewisham Council owned properties.
Tenancy assignment policy
You can download our tenancy assignment policy from the housing policy library.