What Does My Islington Council Tenancy Agreement Say?
By
HuutiMoney
While the Islington borough is famed for its cultural prowess, the aim of this particular article is to explore the details of a council tenancy agreement for residents of Islington. We will also explore whether a council housing resident in Islington can add someone else to their tenancy agreement and if yes, what is the process to be followed. Towards the end, you will find a review of the types of council housing tenancies in Islington.
What Does My Islington Council Tenancy Agreement Say?
If you are a council housing resident in Islington Council. You will find that your tenancy agreement primarily entails your rights and responsibilities as a tent of Islington Council. With the Islington Council being your landlord, you will also find in the tenancy agreement, details of their role and responsibilities during the tenure of your residency in the council property.
The contents of a tenancy agreement for Islington council housing include the following areas of interest that mention details of the role and responsibilities of both tenant and the council with regards to each section:
- Rental payments
- Repair and maintenance
- Consultation
- Assignment and succession of property
- Subletting and allowance of lodgers
- Statuary overcrowding
- Living on the property
- Garbage disposal
- Anti-social behaviour and harassment
- Managing pets
- Handling inflammable materials
- Parking rules and rights of way
- Service of notices
- Notice of disrepair
- End of the tenancy
If you are a first-time council tenant, you will be offered an Introductory Tenancy agreement by the Islington council authorities. This is considered to be a trial period during which you must prove that you can pay your rent on time, maintain your council house and extend socially acceptable behaviour in the neighbourhood. Once the Islington council is satisfied with these parameters of assessment, you can be upgraded to a Secure Tenancy council housing agreement.
In either case, a council housing tenant in Islington is expected to:
- live in the council house as their main home
- maintain their council house and take care of repairs
- make rental payments on time
- to seek permission from the council in case of alterations needed in the council house
- to take care of communal areas
- to inform the council in case major repair work is needed
- to seek permission for keeping a dog (or a wild animal)
- to inform the council in case of a long absence from the property (or even country)
- to give 4 weeks’ notice before ending the tenancy agreement
How Do I Add Someone To My Council Tenancy in Islington?
You can add someone to your council tenancy in Islington by seeking permission from your local council office and following their guidelines with regards to changes in your tenancy agreement. Joint tenancies are usually applied in cases where:
- The additional tenant is the resident’s husband, wife or civil partner
- The additional tenant has been living with the resident as part of their household for at least 12 months
- The additional tenant has succession rights and could inherit the tenancy
- The additional tenant has lived with the resident since they first moved into their council home
As joint tenants, both of you will become responsible for the following:
- Timely payment of the rent
- Protection and care of council property
- Each other’s social attitudes
A disadvantage of adding someone to your tenancy agreement in Islington is that you may lose a significant proportion of the benefits you claim especially Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.
However, suppose your landlord or council authorities in Islington have evidence that you, as the primary tenant intend to move out of council housing in the near future, or that any of the eligibility criteria is not being met. In that case, they have the right to refuse the addition of another tenant to your tenancy agreement. They may continue to live with you as a household member but will not be able to claim tenancy rights.
What Are The Different Types Of Tenancies For Council Housing In Islington?
A tenancy agreement serves as a legal agreement bound by terms and conditions that the undersigning parties agree to while a living space is rented out. Tenancy agreements for council housing may be classified as below:
- Introductory Tenancy: This is considered to be a 12 month trial period for tenants during which their rights to exchange property or make modifications to it are limited.
- Secure Tenancy: This form of tenancy secures your occupancy in the council house for life; unless you break any tenancy rules stated in the agreement. In this case, you may sub-let rooms in the property but not the entire premises.
- Flexible Tenancy: This type of tenancy is usually for a fixed term of 2 to 5 years; at the end of which the council may decide to offer you a renewed contract on similar terms, provide a secure tenancy or not renew at any terms at all.
- Joint Tenancy: Under this contract, you and the joint tenant both become liable for rent payments and eligible for all the privileges under secure tenancy jointly.
Conclusion:
The above discussion makes it clear that just as in the case of any other council tenancy agreement, the Islington council tenancy agreement also covers the roles and responsibilities of both council and tenant with regard to the tenancy type as well as conditions of the agreement. This agreement may be modified over the passage of time as an introductory tenant becomes a secure tenant or they choose to add someone to their tenancy agreement.
FAQs: What Does My Islington Council Tenancy Agreement Say?
Does Islington council allow under-occupancy?
No, Islington council does not allow under-occupancy. They have a scheme titled Smart Move under which residents living in overcrowded houses can find those living with spare rooms. Through mutual agreement and the council’s permission, tenants can then swap their council homes.
How many points do you need for Islington housing?
If your council housing application is approved and you have equal to or more than 120 housing points, you can bid for council properties in Islington.
Who can succeed to a secure tenancy?
You can either succeed to a secure tenancy through succession rights when a partner or joint tenant passes away or you can be upgraded from an introductory tenancy for meeting the conidtions of your tenancy agreement.
How do I hand back my council house?
You should give a 4 weeks notice to indicate the end of your tenancy agreement and hand back your council house/ During this time, you should clear all dues and make sure that your council house is clean and tidy before being handed back.
How many bedrooms are you entitled to with a baby?
You are entitled to a one-bedroom council house whether you are a couple or a single mum with a baby.
References:
Your tenancy | Islington Council
Tenancy conditions | Islington Council