Your first Tenancy

Your first tenancy - things you need to know!

Congratulations - you are about to sign up for your first tenancy, this can be an exciting time as you want your independence but also you could be a little nervous! There are some things you should know before you get your tenancy, things that are really important for you to understand.

People often don't realise just how responsible you need to be as a tenant, and importantly what happens when things go wrong!

If you decide you want your own tenancy you will need to register for housing. This can be with Under One Roof, Property Pool, Wigan Housing, Halton Housing or any housing association that you are living in.  However, you need to chat with your PA or Social Worker about if you are eligible to apply for housing in your area, sometimes if you haven't lived there for a specific amount of time, you can't register for housing there and will have to consider other areas!

What do I need to think about?

As a Team we see many successful young people manage their tenancies, but sadly we also see some young people who just don't understand how responsible they need to be in managing their tenancy.

All the Personal Advisers have put this information together to help and support you to understand your tenancy, so you can manage your tenancy, what you need to consider and to let you know what happens when things go wrong and also what the processes are if you lose your tenancy.

Let's look at the most common things you need to know:

• How long is a first tenancy?

Your tenancy will be what is called a short hold tenancy and these usually last 12 months and are like a 'trial' period. You become an assured or fixed term tenant after 12 months, unless your housing association has either: started action to evict you or extended your starter tenancy. You can normally live in the property for the rest of your life, as long as you do not break the conditions of the tenancy.

• Can you have people staying there overnight?

Yes you can have people stay overnight, but remember they need to be responsible, if they cause any trouble or people complain about them, it will be you that your housing association will contact about any complaints! Be a considerate neighbour, make sure that everyone who visits you doesn't cause a nuisance or annoy others.

• Can you move people in?

You can move someone in with you, but you must let your housing association know.  You must keep your landlord up to date with who is living in your home and you have to be aware that this will have implications on your council tax reduction as a care leaver, housing benefit and universal credit.  If in doubt, please ask for advice.

• What happens if you move people in without permission?

 If you move someone in and don't tell your landlord, you will be in breach of your agreement, the landlord would, inform you and take appropriate action.

• Can I have a dog/cat?

Your landlord will let you know if this is allowed in your tenancy agreement, You're responsible for keeping your pets under control and appropriately cared for.  Dogs shouldn't roam unsupervised, be a nuisance to neighbours or foul any other property.

• Who can help support me?

Your Social Worker and PA will discuss with you who can help support you to maintain your tenancy.  This could include family, friends, the Futures Team, your housing officer, or we can arrange something called 'floating support' through SHAP.  This is where someone will pop in once or twice a week to make sure you are managing the basics and offer help as needed.

• What happens if a neighbour complains about me?

If someone complains about your behaviour or the behaviour of someone in your property, the complaints will be investigated.  You will be spoken to of the allegations and from then on monitored, they would ask if there are any agencies working with you to help support you to keep your tenancy.  You will be given every opportunity to address the concern.

• What is the process if complaints continue?

You will be shown the evidence, whatever it maybe, and the case would be escalated to the enforcement team to consider legal action such as an injunction or Notice Seeking Possession, which means the housing association would look at taking the tenancy back from you.  You will be given opportunity to stop the issue that is causing the complaint.

• What is the eviction process and how long does it take?

 The eviction process is the last resort however it could take 6 to 12 months it all depends on the courts, it's difficult to give a timescale, but you will be informed at every stage of the process.

• How long will I have before I get evicted?

It is difficult to give an exact timescale on the eviction process, but it remains important that you keep speaking to your housing officer during this period.

• What happens if the police visit the property, do they tell your landlord?

Housing associations work closely with the police and they do advise them of any issues, so if you do get a police visit housing will know either through the police or other residents nearby.

• What happens if drugs are found at my property?

If the police have executed a drugs warrant and found drugs you will likely be served with a notice of seeking possession and the housing association will apply to court for possession of the flat

• What happens if another resident's behaviour is causing me a worry?

Just as someone may complain about your behaviour, you have every right to complain about someone else.  In the first instance this should be through your housing officer, unless it is a police issue.  It is important to make a record of any anti-social behaviour issues to help your housing officer when they come to investigate the issue.

It all may sound a bit worrying or scary, but these are the most important things you need to know and understand before you sign for a tenancy.  Remember there are people to help you through this process, but if you are having problems, the sooner you ask for help, the sooner an issue can be resolved.

Now I have signed for my tenancy, what is it I need to do and think about?

• Who provides the energy? - you will have to register with your new energy providers, your PA will support you with this so don't worry!
• Are the meters pre-payment or are the payments by direct debit? We would advise you have a pre-payment meter so you know exactly what amounts you are using
• Once you move in you will need to have the gas meter serial number and also the gas meter reading
• Once You Move In you will need the Electric meter serial number and also the Electric meter reading
• You will need to be aware that you will be solely responsible for paying these bills from your wages or universal credit
• You will need to know where the fuse box is
• You will need to know where is the water stop tap
• You will need to register for a TV licence if you watch live TV. You can use some of the setting up home allowance to pay your first year's bill. Your PA can show you the guidance about when a TV licence is or isn't required
• You will need to register for your water supply and be aware you will be responsible for all water bills
• You will need to consider if you want broadband and how much this costs and if you could afford it
• You can access your setting up home allowance and buy the essential things you need to move in, decorate, have a lovely home of your own. Your PA will have a list of things to help you with this
• If you are living by yourself, your PA will support you to have Council tax exemption
• Your PA will support with the 1st Weeks rent paid upfront for you. You will then be responsible for paying rent either from your wages or via housing benefit.  Please remember that rent is your responsibility
• You will need to find out what day your bins are emptied and what the arrangements are for recycling. This varies from area to area
• Keys - who do you trust to hold a spare key for you? Don't keep all your keys on one keyring.  If you lose them, there will be a charge to have a replacement made

Now that I have signed for the tenancy, what is next? What else do I need to think about?

• You need to change your address for your bank, your dentist, your GP, your opticians, your driving licence (if you have one) you should also remember to change your address for on line accounts such as ebay and Amazon so your parcels are delivered to the correct address!
• Change your address on any benefit claim and update rent payments on your benefit claim, you need to let benefits know you now have moved and have rent to pay and a new address!

How about my Setting Up Home Allowance? How do I spend That?

Your setting up home allowance is money we support you with to buy everything you need at your new home, we will provide up to £3000 to spend on all those essential items you will need.  This doesn't mean you get given £3000 in cash. Your PA will access this for the items you need.

The amounts for different items can vary, depending on what you need or want but also what you may already may have.

Just to give you some basic costs and what you could expect to spend on certain items:

• A TV could be about £200 to £250 for a modern smart TV
• Double bed could be £200 to £250
• Carpet or flooring for a 1 bedroom flat can typically cost up to £700, sometimes more, depending on the size of the flat and rooms.
• Storage and wardrobes, these can really vary in price, you could expect to pay £100 for a single wardrobe, and then prices will go up the bigger you need!
• All your white goods, which is washing machine, cooker and fridge freezer can cost £600 or more, sometimes it's cheaper, but don't forget you may have delivery and installation charges as well to think about!
• You also need to consider all other items needed, all your items for a kitchen, such as microwave, utensils, kettle, toaster, cups, glasses, all cleaning items
• You will need an iron and ironing board, plus a washing /clothes basket
• You will need all your bedding, pillows, quilt
• Paint / decorating items

It sounds like £3000 is a lot of money, but you have to consider about buying everything you need and to also think about any delivery charges that you may have as well, so spend the money wisely, and make it go as far as you can! 

Your PA is the best person to go shopping with, we know where to go, how to find the best deals and where the cheapest places are to shop!!

What happens if things go wrong with my tenancy and what happens?

Sometimes young people are just not ready to live independently and don't understand how responsible they need to be with a tenancy, which is why we put this together to try to make sure it doesn't happen!

There are some things to know if your tenancy starts to go wrong, and these are important and that you understand how serious it can be!

Notice To Quit:

Your landlord can issue a Notice to Quit.  The main issues for this could be anti-social behaviour, noise or keeping pets which cause an issue for others.

Your landlord would serve a Notice to quit (NTQ) if they felt there was an abandonment, where the tenant is not using their property as their own and principal home.

Housing would serve a notice of seeking possession (NOSP) for the following:-

• Noise, loud music, parties dogs barking.
• A drugs warrant executed by the police.
• Condition of property and garden.
• Breaching an injunction
• Criminal offences and offences which result in a custodial sentence.

What is the expectation for a tenant once a Notice to Seek Possession served?

As a tenant you would be expected to engage with your landlord and not breach the a notice of seeking possession.  If you do not engage and evidence continues to be obtained, they would progress to court for possession, however eviction is the last resort depending on the evidence.  They could obtain a Suspended Possession Order (SPO) which the tenant would remain in the property but must not breach the SPO if they did we would apply back to the court to seek an eviction.

However, please be aware if a tenant receives an order like a Suspended Possession Order and you are evicted it is very doubtful that your housing association would re house you.

Really Important!!!

If you as a tenant breach an Injunction, or a Closure Order against the property, the housing association can apply for mandatory possession, which is much quicker.

If the worst happens and you are losing your tenancy or lose the tenancy, what happens, what do you do?

Losing a tenancy is not an overnight process.  Concerns about your tenancy will have been building for a while and you will have been given every opportunity to try to address the worry before it reaches this point.

If you become Homeless by being evicted or losing your tenancy your PA could refer you to Housing Options, however it's important you understand what this agency can do.  You would also need to consider if you have any family or friends who you could stay with.

What happens if my Landlord serves me with a notice to leave my tenancy?

If you are served with any kind of notice to leave your property you need to seek support with this matter, as well as speaking to your personal advisor you can get help from housing options by phoning 01744 675150 or emailing HousingAdviceOptions@sthelens.gov.uk and explaining your situation.

If you are threatened with homelessness within 56 days the housing options service will make arrangements for you to have a homelessness assessment under the Homelessness Reduction Act (2017) to determine what advice and assistance they can offer you with the situation.  If you have a homeless assessment, a personalised housing plan will also be completed with your caseworker and this will detail what actions both you and your caseworker will be expected to take to resolve your housing problem. If you receive communication from your landlord outside of 56 days indicating your tenancy is at risk, you are likely to be referred into the Early Intervention/Prevention team for support. 

Housing options or the Early Intervention Team will always try to prevent you from becoming homeless wherever possible, for example they will try and negotiate with your landlord to not progress with the notice issued. If it is due to rent arrears they will try and set up payment plans to reduce the arrears or if your landlord starts court proceedings they will try and get any possession proceedings suspended by coming to an agreement with the Court and your landlord about how you can successfully manage your tenancy going forward.  If you have been issued with notice due to anti social behaviour you may be advised to seek some independent legal advice on the matter, such as through Shelter, who can possibly provide you with representation at Court should the situation progress to that level.

What happens if I become homeless?

If you are evicted from your accommodation and become homeless the housing options team will undertake an assessment if you are not already open to them or will update your existing application to reflect the fact that you are now homeless.

The local authority may have a duty to provide you with temporary accommodation whilst they make enquiries into your situation for a set period of time if you are classed as being in priority need.  If you are aged 18, 19 or 20 and you were looked after, accommodated or fostered by a local authority while aged 16 or 17 you will be classed as priority need. You will not have a priority need if you are still looked after accommodated or fostered, or a relevant student. You will also be considered priority need if you have a dependent child or children, or are pregnant.

The temporary accommodation that you are offered will depend on what is available at the time and the local authority cannot guarantee that it will be within the borough of St Helens, it may be hostel or hotel accommodation in another part of the North West, such as Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, Widnes or elsewhere.

What does intentionally homeless mean?

If you are evicted from your tenancy due to a breach of your tenancy agreement, such as not paying your rent  when you could afford to do so or engaging in anti-social behaviour activities at your tenancy or you voluntarily leave your tenancy without identifying another secure place to live before you give your keys in, you may be deemed to have made yourself homeless intentionally. 

If you lose accommodation because of something you deliberately did or deliberately failed to do and it would have been reasonable for you to continue to live there, then you are likely to be considered to have made yourself homeless intentionally.  If this decision is made by the local authority the support you receive will be more limited in terms of accommodation provision.  Temporary accommodation may only be provided for a limited period of time, and you may be excluded from the housing register for a lengthy period of time.  Other registered social landlords or supported housing providers may be reluctant to provide you with accommodation if you do not conduct your tenancy in a satisfactory way and are evicted from it so you may struggle to find other accommodation. Alternative accommodation options may be limited within the borough to hostels or the private rented sector if affordable.

And finally...

There is so much to learn in such a short time.  It is really important you speak to your PA, housing officer or someone in your support network if you find you are having issues.  Losing a tenancy can have long term implications for you, but prior to this, you will be given every opportunity to work with support services to make a success of it. 

Go for it and make it feel like home - somewhere where you feel safe and happy 