Types of council tenancy
When we offer you a tenancy, the offer letter will provide details (type and length) of the tenancy offered. Our Tenancy Policy sets out the circumstances in which we will offer different tenancies.
There are four types of tenancy:
- Introductory tenancies
- Secure periodic tenancies
- Flexible fixed term tenancies
- Non-secure tenancies
Introductory tenancies
Most new tenants will start their tenancy as an introductory tenant. This is a probationary tenancy and will usually last for 12 months. If you do not break any of the tenancy conditions during this time, you will automatically become a flexible fixed term or secure periodic tenant. In most circumstances you will become a flexible fixed term tenant.
Secure periodic tenancies
In most cases, after an introductory tenancy has been completed, you will be offered a secure periodic tenancy. This applies to both general needs and sheltered housing tenants. With this type of tenancy, you keep your home as long as you want it unless there is a legal reason why we need to take it back, called a 'ground for possession' in the Housing Act.
Flexible fixed term tenancies
In some cases, we offer flexible fixed term tenancies. These are tenancies that last for a fixed period of time, normally for an initial 10 years and subsequently 5 years upon review, unless there are special circumstances. We only offers these tenancies on larger homes, those with five beds or more, as they are in short supply.
When your flexible fixed term tenancy ends, we do not have to give you another tenancy. We will decide in accordance with our Tenancy Policy whether to offer you another tenancy and, if so, what length this will be.
Non-secure tenancies
Non-secure tenancies are normally either tenancies linked to your job or are given when you are offered temporary accommodation. In this type of tenancy, you do not have the same rights as flexible fixed term or secure periodic tenants.
More information
More information can be found in the tenancies explained leaflet.