Bulgaria and Romania, the two countries that joined the European Union (EU) in January 2007. Citizens of these nations have restricted rights to work or claim benefits in the UK, and limited access to housing and homelessness assistance.

• See Rights of A2 nationals

The eight countries that joined the EU in May 2004: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Citizens of these nations previously had restricted rights to work or claim benefits in the UK, and limited access to housing and homelessness assistance - now they have the same rights as any EU worker.

Cyprus and Malta also joined the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EAA) in May 2004, but their citizens have full EEA/EU rights.

• See Rights of A8 nationals

This is a term for the newest countries to join the EU and EAA. The rights you have will depend on whether you come from an A8 nation or an A2 nation (see above), or Cyprus or Malta.

Leaving a property that you are renting without either:

• getting the landlord's agreement (it's always best to get this in writing), or
• giving proper notice to the landlord to formally end the tenancy.

Abandonment does not end your agreement, or your liability for rent.

• See Ending a tenancy or license

A notice from the council's environmental health department telling someone (often a landlord) to stop causing nuisance such as pollution or noise, or to carry out repairs.

• See Contacting environmental health (private tenants)
• See Disrepair affecting health (housing association and
  council tenants)

A court procedure that private landlords can use if they want to evict an assured shorthold tenant without having to prove a legal reason. This procedure only applies to assured shorthold tenants.

In some cases landlords cannot use this procedure if they haven't followed other rules - such as putting your deposit in a government-backed scheme and/or getting a license if they are required to do so.

• See Assured shorthold tenants

Work that can be carried out to a property to make it more suitable if you have a disability or other needs. Adaptations might include making a property accessible for wheelchair users, or installing special equipment.

• See Getting adaptations

An order that the court can make, putting off a decision until a certain day in the future, or even indefinitely. Adjournments are often made with conditions attached � for example, a condition might be that antisocial behaviour must stop, or that you have to pay the current rent plus an amount towards the arrears each month.

• See Court orders (if you are a tenant at risk of eviction)
• See What the court can do (if you are a homeowner at risk of repossession)

A court order that allows people with debt problems to make a single payment every month towards repayment of all your debts. The single payment is administered by the courts, rather than you paying part of it directly to different creditors.

• See Alternatives to bankruptcy

The housing legislation says that everyone who makes a homeless application to the council is entitled to some form of 'advice and assistance'. The 'advice' could involve helping you to keep your current home, or to find alternative accommodation. The assistance could be in the form of emergency housing, financial, or practical help.

• See Overview of council duties

If you apply for a mortgage before you have found a property to buy, you can ask the lender you plan to use to confirm in writing how much they are prepared to lend you. This can be useful if you need to show the seller that you are a serious buyer. But bear in mind that it isn't a guarantee that the lender will definitely agree to provide the full amount for a particular property their final offer will depend on their valuation of the property itself.

• See applying for a mortgage

You may have an agricultural occupancy if you are a farm worker living in accommodation provided by your employer. However, you also have to meet certain conditions relating to the hours you work, the length of your employment, and the job you do. 

• Download a guide to agricultural occupiers

The systems that councils, housing associations and housing co-ops use to decide who should be offered a home. All councils have to follow certain rules set out in the law. In some areas you may be allocated a property, and in other areas you may have to ;bid for properties you like under a 'choice-based' scheme. Your chances of success will depend on the number of properties available and on how much priority you have under the scheme.

• See Council waiting lists

A variety of ways to resolve disputes without going to court. This includes: mediation, negotiation, and arbitration and third-party determination.

• See Alternative dispute resolution

Behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress to other people living in the area. Examples include: noise, verbal abuse, drug dealing, and violence.

• See Antisocial behaviour

Court orders that are designed to stop people who have behaved antisocially from continuing to do so. ASBOs normally say that the person they are made against is not allowed to do certain things, or go to certain places.

• See Antisocial behaviour orders

Where you ask for a decision that you aren't happy with to be reconsidered by a court or tribunal. You can only appeal in certain circumstances - for example if you think a decision the council has made about your homelessness application is legally wrong.

• See County court appeals

The minimum amount of money that the Government thinks that you need to live on each week. Your applicable amount is used in many benefit calculations and is based on your household circumstances.

• See Housing benefit calculations  

A person who makes an application for example, if you apply the court to have a possession order set aside, or you apply as homeless.

• See Applying as homeless

The best way to compare different mortgages or loans. The APR includes all costs for taking out a particular mortgage or other loan - including not just the interest rate, but also any additional charges you will have to pay.

• See Choosing a mortgage

Fees that some lenders charge for arranging mortgages or other loans. Some lenders will refund the fee when the loan or mortgage is agreed, or add it to the amount you borrow.

• See Applying for a mortgage

If you fall behind with your rent or mortgage payments, you will get into arrears. If this happens, your landlord or lender may start possession proceedings against you.

• See Rent arrears
• See Mortgage arrears
• See Council tax arrears

The legal transfer of a tenancy from one person to another. There are rules on when a tenancy can be assigned, including who it can be assigned to and whether the landlord's permission is needed.

• See Assigning a tenancy  

The most common type of tenancy provided by private landlords, often for a fixed term (eg six months or one year), which gives limited rights to the tenant. Some housing associations also provide this type of tenancy.

• See Assured shorthold private tenancies
• See Assured shorthold housing association tenancies

A type of tenancy that some private tenants and most housing association tenants have. It gives more rights to tenants than an assured shorthold tenancy.

• See Assured housing association tenancies
• See Assured private tenancies