Introductory tenancies

This is a 12 month probationary tenancy after which tenants may become a secure tenant, provided they meet the conditions of their tenancy agreement.

Are you an introductory tenant?

You are probably an introductory tenant if your housing association runs an introductory tenancy scheme and you satisfy all of the following conditions:

the registered housing association operates an introductory tenancy scheme
the 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

It is important to note that your housing association can't discriminate by only giving introductory tenancies to some people and not to others. If your housing association has an introductory tenancy scheme, it must apply to all new tenants. Check with your association if you're not sure.

For more information contact your housing association:

Housing Associations (contacts section)

What is the difference between an introductory tenancy and a secure tenancy?

An introductory tenancy gives you many of the same rights as a secure tenancy, but you can be evicted more easily. In addition, introductory tenants can't:

exchange their tenancy with any other tenant
transfer the tenancy, unless they are ordered to by a court or in other very rare circumstances
exercise the right to buy - though the period of introductory tenancy may count towards the right to buy
take in lodgers or sub-let all or part of the property
make improvements to the property without the association’s permission

What are your rights as an introductory tenant?

As an introductory tenant you have the right to be:

told about introductory tenancies and the association’s duties to repair
consulted on housing matters and kept up to date about any changes that affect introductory tenancies

What are your obligations as an introductory tenant?

As an introductory tenant you must:

pay the rent
keep the property clean and decorated
respect the neighbours and not cause a nuisance
make sure that anyone living at or visiting the property does not cause a nuisance
keep the garden in a neat and tidy condition
allow association staff and their agents into the property to carry out inspections and repairs
give the association four weeks notice to end the introductory tenancy

What happens if an introductory tenant breaches the tenancy agreement?

If a tenant under an introductory tenancy breaches any of the conditions of their tenancy agreement then they may be evicted. Examples of why a housing association could end an introductory tenancy include:

cases of serious rent arrears
the tenant has been guilty of anti-social behaviour that would be grounds for repossession
the tenant moving out and renting the home to someone else

When will you become a secure tenant?

It is possible to become a secure tenant twelve 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 the housing association doesn't start action to evict you during that 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 twelve 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 should be given a secure tenancy straight away.

If you have a joint tenancy, the trial period ends as soon as one of the joint tenants has completed the trial period.