Rights and responsibilities (the agreement between you and us)

Your tenancy agreement is a legal contract between you and us. When you sign the tenancy agreement you agree to keep to the rules within it. The agreement also sets out the rights and responsibilities we have as your landlord. It is important that you read your tenancy agreement so that you are aware of the conditions under which you hold your tenancy.

There are different types of tenancy. Your tenancy agreement will tell you which one you have.

Assured shorthold tenancy (starter tenancy)

If you become a new tenant of LHP you will be offered an assured shorthold tenancy which we often call a starter tenancy. This means you have a ‘trial’ period of 12 months to show that you can carry out your tenancy in a suitable manner.

We can end this type of tenancy within the 12 month trial period by giving you two months’ notice but we will only do this if you break your tenancy conditions. If there are no problems within the first year, you will automatically become an assured or fixed-term tenant, with the extra rights that this gives.

Assured and fixed-term tenancies

At the end of your starter tenancy you may be offered either:

• An assured tenancy

This is the most secure form of tenancy. It allows you to remain in the property as long as you want, as long as you do not break any of your tenancy conditions.

• A fixed-term tenancy

Legally known as an assured shorthold, fixed-term tenancy. A fixed-term tenancy is offered for a fixed period of time usually for at least five years.

To find out more about fixed-term tenancies please click here.( Fixed-term tenancies | Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (lincolnshirehp.com))

Rights and responsibilities

When you sign the tenancy agreement you agree to keep to the rules within it.

The agreement also sets out the rights and responsibilities we have as your landlord.

The main differences are:

Assured Tenancy

The right to:

• stay in your home
• make improvements to your home
• exchange your home
• the Preserved Right to Buy*
• the Right to Acquire*
• the right to assign your tenancy
• have repairs carried out
• see information held about you
• have a lodger or sub-let part of your home
• succession rights**

Assured Shorthold Tenancy

The right to:

• stay in your home
• have repairs carried out
• see information held about you

* Please note that not all tenants have the Preserved Right to Buy and Right to Acquire.

** Assured Shorthold tenants have limited succession rights only.