SYHA - Your Tenancy

You can stay in your home as long as you want to and as long as you meet the conditions of your tenancy. You will be either a secure or an assured resident, or you may have an assured shorthold tenancy. You can find out more below.

Secure tenancies apply to

all tenancies created before 15th January 1989
all secure tenancies transferred from one of our properties to another property we own
those residents who transferred to a secure tenancy through a mutual exchange

Assured tenancies apply to

all tenancies created since 15th January 1989 unless you transferred your tenancy in the situations shown above

Assured shorthold tenancies

If we do not own the property but lease it from another owner, your tenancy will be for a fixed term and you can usually renew it until the end of our lease

The tenancy agreement you signed at the beginning of your tenancy is a legal document that shows your responsibilities and rights as a resident. It also shows our rights and responsibilities.

Your Responsibilities

you must pay your rent every week for the coming week
you must use the property as your home
you must make sure that you, your family, friends and visitors do not cause a nuisance or harass your neighbours or any other person
you must report any repairs as soon as possible and allow us into your property to carry out repairs and inspect the work
you must keep your home in a good condition and a reasonable state of decoration
you must repair or pay for any damage to the property caused by you, your family or any visitors
you must not allow more than the permitted number of people to live in the property, as stated in your tenancy agreement
if you want to sublet part of the property, you must get our written permission. If you want to take in a lodger, you must tell us in writing

Our Responsibilities

we must maintain and manage your home, and repsect your privacy
we must investigate each reported case of nuisance or harassment and take the appropriate action
we must carry out repairs within a set timescale
we must maintain the property in good repair
we will decorate the outside of your property every six years
when you end the tenancy we will repair any damage you have caused and charge you for the work involved
we must try to make sure that we give you accommodation that meets your needs

Your tenancy also gives you the right

to make improvements
You can make improvements to your property such as putting in central heating, or fitting a new kitchen, as long as you receive written permission from us. We will not refuse permission unreasonably.
to 'succession'
If you die, your tenancy can pass (by 'succession') to the person you shared your home with. This could be your husband, wife or any other person you were in a relationship with if they were living with you for at least the past 12 months. The tenancy can only pass on by succession once.
to exchange
You can swap your home with another SYHA resident, or another housing association resident or council tenant, as long as you receive written permission from both landlords first. You need to make sure you do not owe any rent if you want to exchange.
to information
You can ask us for information about your records. If you disagree with anything, we can either change it or record the disagreemt on your file. Please contact your local office if you want to see your records.
to consultation
We will consult you on any issues that affect your home. We may do this in a number of ways such as questionnaires or local meetings.

Ending your tenancy
When you move out you must do the following

give us four weeks notice that you want to leave
give us all your keys to the property by 12 noon on the Monday your tenancy terminates. If you do not give us all your keys to the proerty by this date, we will charge you one full week's rent, and the cost of replacing the keys and locks of the property.
pay all the rent and other charges up to date of the end of your tenancy.
remove all your furniture and personal belongings from the property. We will dispose of any items you leave behind and ma charge you for the work. (We accept no responsibility for anything left behind by you at the end of your tenancy).
remove all rubbish from inside and outside of the property.
remove any greenhouse, garage or shed you may have put up in the garden.
remove all the fittings and fixtures you have installed and make good any damage.
replace or repair any broken items which belong to us. You will be charged for any repairs that are your responsibility.
leave the property clean and tidy. We will charge you if we have to clean the property.
leave all our furniture, fittings and installations in the property.
report all repairs that are needed at the property.
allow our employees and contractors to enter the property at reasonable times to inspect it.
give us your new address.
provide access to prospective tenants.