When you become a tenant with us you enter into a relationship. Relationships need commitments from both sides to make them work and this one is no different.
There are different types of tenancy agreements, and your rights as a tenant depend on the type of agreement you have. Here's what you need to know about the types of tenancy agreement we offer and how this affects you.
If you are not sure which type of tenancy agreement you have, it will be written on your agreement, or you can contact us to find out.
Most new West Kent tenants will be given a starter tenancy. This is to allow time to establish that you are able to manage your tenancy well.
A starter tenancy is usually granted for 12 months. This can be extended to 18 months or ended after six months if you are not managing your tenancy properly.
Account management - how well you have kept up with rent payments.
Your behaviour - whether you have been the subject of any reports of anti-social behaviour, whether you have let us in to conduct necessary checks.
Affordability - whether you can still afford your home or if you earn enough to explore other options.
Condition of your home - whether you have made any unauthorised improvements, or there is unreasonable damage, or there are any health and safety concerns.
Who lives in your home - whether the number of people living in your home has changed.
Adaptations - if the property has a disabled adaptation is it still needed?
We offer a five-year fixed-term tenancy. This means that you will remain a West Kent tenant for five years unless you decide to leave or we take court action to end your tenancy early.
Adaptations - if the property has a disabled adaptation, is it still needed?
We must give you six months notice of our decision in writing. You have the right to appeal our decision.
An assured tenancy means you can stay in your home until you decide to leave or we take court action to end your tenancy.
We cannot ask you to leave unless you have broken the terms of your tenancy.
We no longer grant this type of tenancy.
If you have a secure tenancy this means you can stay in your home until you decide to leave or we take court action to end your tenancy.
Most new West Kent tenants will be granted a starter tenancy for 12 months. This will usually convert into a five-year fixed-term tenancy at the end of the starter period.
If you already have an assured tenancy with a registered provider of social housing before April 2012, you will be given an assured tenancy.
If you are moving into one of our Emerald homes you will be given an assured tenancy.