Housing association starter tenancies

Many housing associations give starter tenancies to new tenants.

This is to check if you can manage the tenancy before giving you one with more rights.

A starter tenancy usually lasts 12 months.

After 12 months, your housing association could give you:

• an assured tenancy which is a lifetime tenancy 

• an assured shorthold tenancy for at least 2 years

Paying rent

You can get universal credit housing element to help with rent if you have a low income.

Universal credit is more likely to cover your full rent if you are not working.

It can pay some service charges, for example the cost of heating in communal areas.

Repair rights 

Your housing association is responsible for most repairs.

Find out how to get repairs done.

Passing on a starter tenancy

A partner who lives with you can inherit your tenancy if you die. You do not have to be married or in a civil partnership.

Your tenancy can only pass to another family member if the agreement says this can happen.

Swapping homes with another tenant

You cannot swap homes with another housing association or council tenant if you have a starter tenancy.

You can usually do this when your trial period has ended. This is called a mutual exchange.

You need your landlord's permission.

You can sometimes transfer to a different property if you need to move urgently.

Eviction from a starter tenancy

You can be evicted more easily during a starter tenancy.

But the housing association have to use the right process to evict you.

Ask your landlord if they can review the decision. A review gives you chance to say why you should stay. For example, if you can sort out problems with rent arrears.

1. Notice from the housing association

Your housing association could use a section 21 notice to evict you during your starter tenancy. They do not need a reason to use a section 21.

Or they could use a section 8 notice if they have a reason, like rent arrears. They might use a section 21 and a section 8 together.

You can sometimes ask a court to stop eviction if you have a section 8. You cannot usually do this if you have a section 21.

2. The court process

Your housing association can start court action after the date your notice ends.

The court send you paperwork. Return the defence form within 14 days.

The judge has to order an eviction with a section 21 unless the housing association has not followed the right process.

3. Eviction after a possession order

The possession order gives a date for you to leave. This is usually 2 weeks after you go to court but can be longer.

The housing association can ask court bailiffs to evict you if you stay after this date.

The bailiffs should tell you 2 weeks before they come.

Find out what happens on the eviction date.