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An introductory tenancy is a one year trial tenancy. Once the 12 months are up, the tenancy becomes secure unless the housing association has started possession action.
Contact your housing association if you are unsure whether or not you have an introductory tenancy. If your housing association runs an introductory tenancy scheme all new tenancies will be introductory tenancies.
Am I an introductory tenant?
Most new housing association tenancies are introductory tenancies. You are probably an introductory tenant if:
- your housing association runs an introductory tenancy scheme;
- the housing association has given you a home through the selection scheme,
- your tenancy started less than a year ago;
- you do not live in accommodation that comes with your job.
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When will I become a secure tenant?
You will normally be an introductory tenant for 12 months from the date your tenancy started or the date you moved in - whichever is later. You will normally become a secure tenant automatically after the first year has passed as long as your housing association doesn't start action to evict you during the 12 month period.
If you have spent time as an introductory tenant in another property before your current tenancy started, the time you spent there should count towards the 12 months. For example, if you lived in your previous home for six months, you should only have to spend six months as an introductory tenant in your new home. If you lived there for more than a year, you won't have to spend any time as an introductory tenant.
In a joint tenancy, the introductory tenancy will end as soon as one of other of the joint tenants completes a 12 month trial period.
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Can my housing association evict me?
If you are an introductory tenant, your housing association does not have to have reasonable grounds to begin possession proceedings against you. If your housing association does decide to evict you it must simply show the court that it has followed the correct legal procedure for seeking possession of your home. However, your housing association is unlikely to begin eviction procedures unless it is dissatisfied with your behaviour.
Get specialist advice if you are an introductory tenant and your housing association is trying to end your tenancy. There are strict time limits which you have to stick to.
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Can I buy my home?
You can't buy your home until your introductory tenancy has ended. You must have lived in social rented accommodation for at least 5 years before you can buy your home. Some property types cannot be purchased from a housing association. This includes accommodation that has been designed for specific user groups, such as people with disabilities.
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Can I exchange my home with another housing association tenant?
You can't exchange your home with another tenant until your introductory tenancy has ended. You will usually only be allowed to exchange your home if you have spent two years as a housing association tenant. You need to have your housing association's permission to transfer your tenancy into someone else's name.
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Can I give my home to someone else?
You can usually only give your home to someone who has lived with you in the accommodation for at least 12 months.
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Will my housing association carry out repairs to my home?
You have the same rights to repairs as regular housing association tenants.
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Abandonment
If you are an introductory tenant and your housing association landlord believes you have permanently vacated a property and that you do not intend to return and live in the property, the housing association is entitled to take possession of the property. Housing Associations consider this behaviour as abandonment of a property.
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