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Secure tenancies

A secure tenancy means that there is a legal contract between you and us, governed by the Housing Act 1985. It confirms that you are one of our tenants. Both you (as the tenant) and we (as your landlord) have rights and responsibilities; these are set out in the tenancy agreement. When you sign it at the beginning of your tenancy, you agree to keep to the rules set out in it. You should keep it in a safe place so you can refer to it if you are not sure about any matter relating to your tenancy.

Your rights as a secure tenant - Why we would end a secure tenancy? - Other reasons why we may move secure tenants - Changes to the tenancy agreement

Your rights as a secure tenant

As a secure tenant, you have the right to stay in your home without interference from us. We can only move you against your will if we can prove in court that you have broken a condition of your tenancy agreement.

As a secure tenant you have the legal right to:

  • take in lodgers or sublet part of the property following written permission from housing services;
  • buy your council home;
  • make improvements to your home following written permission from housing services;
  • exchange your home with another tenant following written permission from housing services;
  • transfer your tenancy to another person following written permission from housing services;
  • transfer to another landlord following written permission from housing services.

Why we would end a secure tenancy?

Here are some of the circumstances in which we may decide to end your secure tenancy agreement:

  • You got your tenancy by making false statements, deliberately or by mistake or omitted to provide information which resulted in you obtaining a tenancy by false means.
  • You don’t pay your rent.
  • You use your home for immoral or illegal purposes.
  • You cause nuisance or annoy your neighbours.
  • You damage your home or, a communal area where you live.

If we evict you for any of these reasons, we will not offer you another home.

Other reasons why we may move secure tenants

  • If your home is due for modernisation or demolition.
  • If you refuse to leave a property that we have temporarily let to you while we are carrying out building work on your original home - if you promised to go back when the work was finished.
  • If you are a tenant who has succeeded to a tenancy, but the home is larger than you reasonably need.
  • If your home is specially adapted for physically disabled people, but there is no longer a physically disabled person living there and the house is needed for another physically disabled tenant. In these cases, we will offer you suitable alternative accommodation.

Changes to the tenancy agreement

We can change the terms of your secure tenancy agreement. Before we do so, we must consult you and give you the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes. If you agree to the changes, we will send you a notice of variation, which clearly shows what the changes will be. We will then give you another four weeks before the changes in the notice of variation take place.

For more information contact Housing Officers by telephone: 01634 333 344 or by email: housing@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Housing Officers , Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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