What is an introductory council tenancy?
An introductory tenancy is a trial tenancy.
You have a trial so your council can see if you are a good tenant.
The trial lasts for 12 months from when your tenancy starts or when you move in, whichever is later.
You should not get an introductory tenancy if you transfer from a secure council tenancy or an assured housing association tenancy.
Can the trial be longer than 12 months?
Your introductory tenancy can be extended by 6 months. The council must write to tell you why at least 2 months before your trial ends.
What happens after the trial?
Your tenancy becomes either:
Your landlord must tell you before your introductory tenancy starts if it will become a flexible tenancy.
Signing your tenancy agreement
You need to sign a written tenancy agreement.
Your agreement tells you:
what type of tenancy you have
your rights and responsibilities
The council might give you a tenant's handbook with all you need to know.
Eviction
It is easy for councils to evict introductory tenants.
The council must get a court order to evict you. They must take the right legal steps.
Rent and rent increases
Your tenancy agreement sets out how much the rent is and when to pay it.
Rent increases usually happen in April. The council must give you at least 4 weeks' written notice of an increase.
You could claim universal credit if you have a low income and need help to pay your rent.
Repairs
Tell the council about repair problems as soon as you notice them.
The council is responsible for most repairs, including problems with:
the roof
guttering
windows
brickwork
external doors
plumbing and drains
They are also responsible for:
The council should have a 24 hour service for emergencies.
You are usually responsible for decorating inside your home and for any damage you cause.
Renting out a room or subletting
You must ask your landlord for permission to rent out a room.
You can take in a lodger when your tenancy becomes secure if you have the space.
It's against the law for council tenants to rent out the whole of your home.
Find out about unlawful subletting from Citizens Advice.
Buying your council home
You cannot buy your home while you are an introductory tenant.
Time spent as an introductory tenant counts towards the 3 year period you need to buy your home at a discount with the right to buy scheme.
Passing on the tenancy if you die
If you are a joint tenant, the tenancy passes to the other joint tenant if one of you dies.
If you are the only tenant, your tenancy can go to your spouse or civil partner if they are living in your home at the time of your death.
If you're not married or in a civil partnership, an unmarried partner or another family member can take over the tenancy. They must have lived with you for at least a year before your death. This can include your home before the introductory tenancy started.
The tenancy continues as an introductory tenancy for the rest of the 12 month trial. Then it becomes a secure tenancy or a flexible tenancy.
Passing the tenancy on is called succession.
Passing on your tenancy in your lifetime
You can sign your tenancy over to anyone who would have the right to succeed if you died. This is called assignment.
Make sure you ask your landlord what you need to do to sign the tenancy over.
If you do not sign it over properly, you could still be responsible for the rent. The new tenant could be evicted.
Moving or swapping homes
You only have the right to exchange your home with another council or housing association tenant after your trial period ends.
Some councils allow an exchange if you want to swap during the trial period.
If you want to move during your trial, you could transfer to another council or a housing association home.
If you want to move to another council area, you can either:
go onto their transfer register if their transfer policy allows it
apply to the waiting list if you work in the area or have a job offer there
Councils have allocation and transfer policies on their websites.
Use the GOV.UK search to find your local council website
How to complain
You can complain if you think the council is not treating you fairly or is not being a responsible landlord.
Last updated: 23 August 2026
