You have certain responsibilities as a tenant living in your home.
Paying your rent on time
This includes any other charges specified in your tenancy agreement, like service charges.
There are several ways you can make payments, including by Direct Debit and online.
Looking after items
There are items in your home that are your responsibility to look after and upkeep. They include:
- Fixtures (items attached to the home – like a boiler).
- Fittings (items not permanently attached – like a mirror).
- Decorations.
- Lights.
- Curtains.
- Carpets.
As your landlord, we are responsible for some of the repairs to your property. But there are also repairs that you’ll have to carry out yourself.
Changes to your household
The property must be your main or only home.
You must tell us about any changes to who is living in your home – for example:
- If you expect to be away from your home for more than 3 months.
- Someone has moved in with you.
- Taking in a lodger and charging them rent (if you receive benefits, you must also tell the Government).
You can’t rent out the whole of your home (sublet) to somebody else.
Alterations
You must get our permission before improving, changing or adding things to your home.
This includes things like:
- putting up a TV aerial or satellite dish
- fitting laminate flooring
- decorating the outside of the property
- connecting electric vehicle (EV) charging points
Access
We want you to be safe in your home. We’ll need to access your home from time to time to check your home meets safety standards.
Items in communal areas
Communal (shared) areas of your building, such as halls and stairwells, must be kept free of items that could obstruct your exit in case of a fire.
Do not store items in service or riser cupboards, or in communal loft spaces. We will throw away any items found in these areas.
Running a business
You must get our permission before running a business from your home.
Usually, we’ll give permission unless your business impacts your neighbours or building.