At Community Housing, we offer several types of tenancies to meet different needs. Most of our properties are either Social Rent or Affordable Rent homes. The main difference between these is how the rent is calculated, but both options provide stable, long-term housing solutions.

When you first move into one of our properties, you'll usually start with a Starter Tenancy. Think of this as a 12-month trial period where we make sure the property is right for you and you're comfortable with the responsibilities of being a tenant. After this period, assuming everything goes well, your tenancy will automatically convert to an Assured Tenancy.

If you're already a social housing tenant moving from another provider, you may be offered an Assured Tenancy straight away.

Making your house a home

Your home is yours to enjoy, and we want you to make it comfortable. You can decorate and make minor changes without asking us. However, for bigger changes like removing walls or installing new kitchens, you'll need our permission first.

Looking after your property

Keeping your home in good condition is a shared responsibility. We'll handle major repairs and maintenance, but you're responsible for keeping the property clean and tidy, and reporting any problems promptly. This includes:

• Regular cleaning.
• Basic maintenance like changing light bulbs.
• Keeping your garden tidy if you have one.
• Reporting repairs as soon as you notice them.

Gardens and communal areas need to be kept tidy and safe. If you're struggling to maintain your garden, let us know.

Find out more about your responsibilities in the My repairs section

Access and safety checks

We'll need to visit your home occasionally to carry out safety checks (such as gas and electric) annual inspections and repairs. We'll always give you at least 24 hours notice unless it's an emergency. These checks are really important - they help keep you safe and your home in good condition.

We want everyone to feel happy and safe in our community. This section explains how we can all help make this happen. When we talk about 'everyone', we include you, your family members, any friends who visit and your pets too.

A peaceful community works best when we all consider each other. This includes being thoughtful towards other residents, visitors, our staff and anyone working in the area. Some things can make life difficult for others, such as:

• Playing music or TV at a volume that others can hear
• Noise from arguments or door slamming
• Dogs barking for long periods or not cleaning up after pets
• Loud machinery or other noises that might disturb people
• Using language that might upset others
• Leaving rubbish in places where it shouldn't be
• Keeping shared areas clear for everyone to use
• Car repairs that might cause problems for others.

Respecting Each Other

Everyone deserves to feel welcome in our community. We ask that all residents and their visitors help make sure nobody feels uncomfortable or threatened because of their age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy, race, religion or sexual orientation.

It's important to know that upsetting behaviour can include:

• Words or actions that are racist.
• Any kind of violence or threats.
• Words that might hurt others.
• Following or bothering someone repeatedly.
• Causing damage to someone's home or belongings.

Keeping Our Community Safe

To keep everyone safe, homes in our community cannot be used for illegal activities. This means:

• Checking with us before starting a business from home.
• Not having illegal drugs in your home.
• Not storing or sharing anything illegal.
• Not keeping or selling items that belong to others.
• Not storing or selling items without proper customs payments.
• Not using the property for illegal services.
• Not being involved in theft.
• Following safe driving practices.
• Not keeping any dangerous or illegal weapons.

Supporting Safe and Healthy Relationships

We care about everyone's wellbeing and safety. This includes people who live in your home, anyone who stays with you, current or former partners and their friends and family.

We recognise that harm can take many forms including physical, psychological, sexual, emotional, verbal, financial or honour-based - whether direct or indirect. We're here to help if you need support.

Looking After Your Home

We ask everyone to:

• Take care of safety equipment (like door entry systems or CCTV)
• Help keep our community looking nice by not damaging or marking buildings.

If any damage happens to Community Housing property, neighbouring properties or areas used by residents or visitors we'll need to fix it to keep everyone safe and comfortable. If someone in your household or a visitor causes damage, we'll need to charge for repairs.

If you experience behaviours that affect how you live in your home or community, please see our ASB Toolkit on how to report anti-social behaviour.

Life changes

We understand that circumstances change. Whether you're getting married, separating, or need to change your tenancy from joint to single (or vice versa), we're here to help guide you through the process.

For couples separating, we take a fair approach, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse. We can help arrange tenancy transfers and will always prioritise safety. If you're adding someone to your tenancy, this usually applies to spouses or civil partners.

If you would like someone to act on your behalf, you will need to complete an Authority to Act form. This ensures we have your consent to share information and communicate with your nominated representative. If you want a paper copy, contact our Customer Service Centre on 0300 003 5454.

When someone passes away

If a tenant passes away, their partner or family member living in the property may have the right to take over the tenancy. This is called succession. We'll guide you through this process sensitively and help explain your options. Remember, only one succession is allowed per property. Contact us through the Customer Service Centre on 0300 003 5454 for more help.

Going away?

Planning to be away from your home for more than 28 days? Just let us know in writing. This helps us make sure your property is safe while you're away and prevents any misunderstandings about abandonment.

Lodgers and subletting

If you want to have a lodger or sublet part of your home, you must get our permission in writing first. If we give permission, you must provide us with their name, age and sex so that we can add them to your records.

You will not be allowed to sublet all of your home or move out of your home, leaving the lodger or subtenant behind.

If your home has become too big or too small for your needs, we can help. We offer support for downsizing and can advise on options if your home is overcrowded. Through our Assisted Transfer scheme, we'll help make moving easier if you need a more suitable property.

You may also want to consider exchanging your home with another tenant. Find out more about mutual exchanges in our Find a home section

Emergency situations

Sometimes the unexpected happens. If your home becomes uninhabitable due to an emergency (like severe damage or loss of essential services), we'll arrange temporary accommodation quickly. This might be in another Community Housing property or temporary accommodation, depending on the situation.

Adaptations for your needs

Need changes to your home due to disability or mobility issues? Talk to us about adaptations. We can assess your needs and discuss possible modifications to make your home more suitable.

We understand that pets are part of the family. You can keep small pets without asking, but if you want a cat or dog, you'll need our permission first. We'll usually say yes if it's reasonable, but we'll think about:

• How big your home is
• How many people live there
• What type and size of pet you want

Following the Rules: If we say yes, we'll give you our 'Owners Code for Keeping Pets'. This explains all the rules you need to follow as a pet owner.

Important Things to Remember:

• You cannot breed animals to sell them without getting written permission from us and licenses or other permissions needed to be a commercial breeder.
• Some animals are not suitable as pets and dangerous animals are not allowed.
• You must not leave the pet for long periods of time in your home.
• You must not mistreat or neglect the pet or keep them in poor or unsanitary conditions.
• You must make sure you comply with any legislation relating to the pet such as microchipping.

Being a Good Neighbour: Your pets must not disturb other people, including our staff and workers. You must clean up after them in your home and shared areas. You need to have proper fencing or equipment to keep your pet under control.

Dangerous Dogs: If we allow you to keep a dog that's listed as dangerous under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, you must follow that law. Remember, all dogs must wear a tag showing the owner's name and address.

If Things Go Wrong If we withdraw our permission for you to keep a pet, you must remove it from your home and the area around it. If you don't, you'll be breaking your tenancy agreement.

You can contact us on 0300 003 5454 or find the request form in your MYCommunity account.

Keeping housing fair

Tenancy fraud affects everyone by reducing the number of homes available for those who need them. While you can take in lodgers (with our permission), subletting your entire home isn't allowed.

We carry out regular tenancy checks to make sure our properties are being used properly. These checks also give us a chance to see if you need any support and make sure your contact details are up to date.

When someone lets out one of our properties without permission, doesn't use it as their main home or secures a tenancy by providing false information, they are committing housing fraud.

Housing, or tenancy fraud, denies families of a safe, affordable home lets fraudsters profit at the expense of those who are genuinely in need. If you suspect housing fraud, call us on 0300 003 5454. Your report will be treated in confidence and can be given anonymously.

In most cases, running a business from home is allowed. Just let us know first. The main thing is making sure it doesn't disturb your neighbours or damage the property. You may also need planning permission from your local council.

You must also get permission from us if you want to display a notice, trade plate or advertisement outside your home.

Getting support

We aim to provide excellent service, but we know sometimes things go wrong. If you're unhappy with any aspect of our service, please let us know. We have a clear complaints process and will always try to resolve issues quickly and fairly. You can find out more in our Feedback and complaints section

Stay in touch

Communication is key to a good landlord-tenant relationship. Keep our contact details handy and don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns. You can contact us through our website, by phone, or visit our local offices. You can find out all the different ways to contact us in the Getting in touch section

Here when you need us

Everyone needs extra support sometimes. If you're facing challenges that make it difficult to manage your tenancy, please talk to us. You can talk to your Neighbourhood Coordinator or we can connect you with our Lettings and New Tenancy Support team for help to manage your budgets and get extra financial support.

Need extra help?

If you need information in different formats or languages, or need extra support understanding your tenancy, just ask. We're committed to making our services accessible to everyone. Contact the Customer Service Centre on 0300 003 5454 for more information.

If you're planning to move out of your Community Housing home, here is what you need to know.

Step 1: Contact us

1. Let us know you're moving by phone or in writing.
2. If you have a joint tenancy, we prefer all parties to sign the notice, but one tenant can end the tenancy on their own if needed.
3. A notice period of 4 weeks is usually required (check your tenancy agreement for details). Notice begins the Monday after we receive your notice form. We'll confirm the end date of your tenancy.
4. If you want to change or cancel your notice later, contact us. A new agreement may be needed.

Step 2: Pay any outstanding rent or charges

Ensure all rent and charges are paid in full up to the end of your tenancy.

Step 3: Property inspection

Our Home Moves Team will arrange an inspection. During this visit, we will:

• Inform you where and when to return your keys.
• Take photos and highlight any repairs you're responsible for.
• Advise on how to leave the property in line with your tenancy agreement.

If repairs or cleaning are not done, we will complete the work and recharge you.

For more details about how you must return your property to us, please see the Leaving your Community Housing Home leaflet.