Tenancy Agreements

For the first 12 months of your tenancy, you’ll placed on a temporary, probationary agreement called an Introductory tenancy. If you’ve already completed a probationary tenancy with us or another social housing provider and transfer to us, you will not need to complete another.

If you breach your tenancy conditions during this period, your probationary period could be extended, and in some cases, could result in your tenancy being ended completely.

You can read the full list of restrictions and what is classed as a breach in the Tenancy Agreement. 

Derby Homes Tenancy Agreement

Secure Tenancy

Once you’ve completed your Introductory tenancy, you’ll be given a Secure tenancy.

This allow you more freedom and security than an Introductory Tenancy including:

  • added protection from eviction
  • the right to buy your property
  • the right to assign or transfer your tenancy
  • the right to take in lodgers
  • the right to carry out improvements or mutually exchange with another tenant

Breaches to your tenancy conditions will still be taken very seriously, and if required, action will be taken against you.

Read more in the Tenancy Agreement.

Derby Homes Tenancy Agreement

A flexible tenancy is a type of secure council tenancy that lasts for a fixed period. You have the same rights and responsibilities as other secure tenants during the fixed term.  

Derby City Council offers flexible tenancies for five year terms. Towards the end of the tenancy we will review your circumstances and make a decision whether to offer you a new flexible tenancy. The council can decide not to offer you another tenancy at the end of the fixed term.

Property types

Flexible tenancies are offered for properties:

  • with four or more bedrooms 
  • which have been substantially structurally adapted
  • which have been substantially extended to meet the needs of a disability

Signing up to a flexible tenancy

We will make it clear at each stage of the allocations process if a property has a flexible tenancy agreement:

  • Properties advertised on Derby Homefinder will clearly show if a flexible tenancy agreement applies.
  • If you are offered a property, your offer letter will tell you if it is being offered as a flexible tenancy.
  • During the viewing of the property, we will explain the key elements of a flexible tenancy and the review process
  • You will sign a specific Flexible Tenancy Agreement (see below), which will include the length of tenancy you are being offered. We will explain the key elements and review process before you sign the agreement.

Flexible Tenancy review process

A flexible tenancy is granted for a fixed period of five years and will be reviewed nine months before it is due to end (four years and three months from the start date).

Reviews include a home visit. At the review we will discuss your current circumstances with you to determine if you still the need the type and size of property. If we determine that you still need the same property type and size, you will be offered another five-year, flexible tenancy at the same property. If your circumstances have changed and you no longer need the type or size of property, we make you one offer of suitable, alternative accommodation. 

Review outcomes

Reviews will arrive at one of the following decisions:

  • An offer of another flexible tenancy at the same address if your circumstances have not changed significantly.
  • An offer of a tenancy at another address if the current property no longer suits your needs.
  • No offer of another tenancy. For this outcome you will be asked to leave the property.

If we decide not to renew your tenancy, we must give you two written notices before your fixed term ends.

Six-month notice of non-renewal
  • This tells you that the tenancy will not be renewed.
  • It sets out the reasons why.
  • It states that you have 21 days to request a review of the decision.
Two-month notice
  • This states that the council requires possession.

If you do not leave when the notices end, we can apply to the court to evict you. Where the correct notices have been served and we have followed the correct procedure, the court must grant a possession order.

Derby City Council - Flexible Tenancy Agreement June 2023

For the first 12 months of your tenancy, you’ll placed on a temporary, probationary agreement called a Starter Tenancy. If you’ve already completed a probationary tenancy with us or another social housing provider and transfer to us, you will not need to complete another. 

If you breach your tenancy conditions during this period, your probationary period could be extended, and in some cases, could result in your tenancy being ended completely. 

You can read the full list of restrictions and what is classed as a breach in the Tenancy Agreement. 

‌Starter Tenancy Agreement‌‌

Once you’ve completed you Starter Tenancy, you’ll be given an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.

This allow you more freedom and security than a Starter Tenancy including: 

  • added protection from eviction 
  • the right to assign or transfer your tenancy  
  • the right to take in lodgers 
  • the right to carry out improvements or mutually exchange with another tenant 

Breaches to your tenancy conditions will still be taken very seriously, and if required, action will be taken against you. 

Read more in the Tenancy Agreement.‌

Derby Homes Assured Tenancy Agreement‌‌

Furniture can be expensive, especially if you have to furnish an entire property. We offer Furnished tenancies to help you furnish your home at an affordable price. 

You'll rent the furniture from us for a small charge added to your rent each week. The price varies depending on how much furniture you need. If you receive Housing Benefit, the charge will be covered. 

Is a furnished tenancy the right option for you? 

A furnished tenancy is not for everyone, there are positives and negatives to the scheme. You need to consider both, to decide if it’s the right option for you. 

Positives 

  • It’s an affordable way to furnish your property 

  • We will replace items free of charge if they need replacing due to fair wear and tear 
  • We will service kitchen appliances regularly and repair them if they break down 

Negatives 

  • You will pay the charge for the duration of your tenancy and these will not be removed 
  • The furniture will always belong to Derby Homes 
  • The furniture has to stay in your property at all times 

If you’d like to find out more about Furnished tenancies, contact us. 

Additional Tenancy Conditions for Furnished Accommodation‌‌