LNHA uses several types of tenancy agreement, dependent on the circumstances.

Assured Periodic Tenancy

This is a standard type of tenancy for the social housing sector. The tenancy runs for as long as the tenant observes the responsibilities under the Agreement and the landlord does not require possession to carry out major works or demolition.

The Association’s main obligations are:

• To keep the property, external areas and service installations in good repair (subject to reasonable notice)
• To deliver the promised services
• Not to increase the core rent more than once each year
• Not to evict the Tenant without a Court Order. In court proceedings the Judge has discretion to refuse an application for possession

The Tenant’s main obligations are:

• Rent is payable by the Tenant every week, two weeks in advance
• The Tenant must take good care of the property and the Landlord’s contents and report repairs requirements promptly
• The Tenant must keep the property clean and ventilated and undertake minor maintenance like cleaning windows, clearing blocked sinks, etc.
• The Tenant must respect the rights of others and not cause noise or other nuisance, harassment of neighbours or staff
• Not to use the premises for illegal or immoral purposes
• Not to overcrowd the premises nor to assign the tenancy to another person
• The Tenant must allow the landlord access to undertake inspections and repairs (subject to reasonable notice)
• A minimum of 4 weeks notice must be given by the Tenant, during which rent must continue to be paid
• To remove all personal possessions and rubbish at the end of the tenancy

Assured Starter Tenancy

This is the same as the Assured Periodic Tenancy except that the first twelve months are a “starter” period during which security of tenure is lessened. The idea of this is that we are able to secure possession through the courts more easily for e.g. anti-social behaviour, rent arrears, etc. In these cases a Court Order is still needed for an eviction but the Judge has no discretion to refuse an application.

Fixed Term Student Tenancy

This tenancy is used just in our dedicated student blocks. It is designed specifically to take account of the special character of the student housing market – with demand occurring during a limited part of each year.

This means that the Association must be assured of its power to secure both vacant possession, if needed to let to new students for the start of each academic year, and a reliable rent income for the period of the full academic year when there is no demand from other students for vacant properties.

The main terms are very similar to the assured tenancy except that:

• It is for a fixed period and the tenant cannot stay longer without the Association’s written agreement
• Rent must be paid by the student for the whole period of the tenancy unless they find another acceptable student to replace them on leaving

Decoration 

Tenants of self-contained properties are themselves responsible for redecoration at least once during each four-year period of the tenancy.

Tenants of shared and student property are forbidden from decorating except with the written consent of the Association.