Types of tenancy
Your tenancy agreement sets out what we need to do as your landlord and your rights and responsibilities as our resident.
We have several different types of tenancy. You can find out which type you have by looking at the front of your tenancy agreement.
Starter tenancy
If you’re a new tenant and are not transferring from another council or housing association, you will probably be given a starter to assured tenancy. A starter to assured tenancy is a week-to-week assured shorthold tenancy, which is a form of assured tenancy, with limited rights and limited security. Your tenancy will be reviewed over a 12 month period. If we are satisfied you have met your responsibilities as a tenant, your tenancy will automatically convert to assured on the first anniversary.
Fixed term tenancy
When you joined us you may have been issued with a fixed-term tenancy. This is an assured shorthold tenancy which is granted for a specific period of time – generally for five years.
Earlier this year our Board decided to stop issuing any new five-year fixed-term tenancies and we are in the process of converting all existing five-year fixed-term tenancies to assured tenancies (see information below).
This is a lifetime tenancy and will allow you to feel more settled and secure in your home. If you are still on a five-year fixed-term tenancy and haven’t yet had yours converted then you will be hearing from us soon. We will have converted them all by April 2023.
Assured tenancy
An assured tenancy is a lifetime tenancy, issued mainly between 1989 and 2011. It offers similar rights to a secure tenancy. An assured tenancy will now only be issued to:
- A tenant who has successfully completed a starter tenancy which was granted before 7 November 2011
- An existing assured tenant who mutually exchanges in some circumstances
- A secure or assured tenant of another housing association or local authority that transfers to Paradigm or mutually exchanges in some circumstance.
Secure tenancy
A secure tenancy is a lifetime tenancy, issued mainly before 1989. These are now only issued to existing Paradigm secure tenants who are either transferring to another Paradigm property or to an existing secure tenant who mutually exchanges in some circumstances.
Alternative agreements
We use alternative tenancy agreements for some specialist schemes and our private sector leasing housing. We also use licence agreements for some temporary accommodation.
Where can I get more information about my tenancy?
You can see further information in our Tenure Policy below. Contact your Housing Officer or phone Customer Services on 0300 303 1010. You can also get independent advice from your local citizens advice service, a solicitor or Shelter