Housing associations offer similar types of housing as local councils – often to people on a low income or who need extra support.
You can apply:
- directly to a housing association
- often through your local council
You can apply to more than one housing association at a time.
Waiting list
Once you apply, you’ll be put on a waiting list.
Housing associations normally offer housing to people most suited to that particular property. You may have to wait a long time for a suitable property to become available.
Housing associations are also known as Registered Social Landlords or Private Registered Providers of Social Housing.
Your rights and responsibilities depend on the type of tenancy you have.
Your tenancy agreement is a legal document that tells you all the rules about living in your property.
Starter tenancy
New housing association tenants may be offered a starter tenancy. These usually last 12 months and are like a ‘trial’ period.
You become an assured tenant after 12 months, unless your housing association has either:
- started action to evict you
- extended your starter tenancy
Assured shorthold tenancy
You may be offered an assured shorthold tenancy if a long-term tenancy wouldn’t suit you.
The tenancy will usually be for a fixed period. It has to last at least 6 months.
Once the fixed term ends, your housing association may let you carry on living in the property month by month (or week by week if you pay rent weekly). If it does, it can get the property back at 2 months’ notice.
Assured tenancy
As an assured tenant, you can normally live in your property for the rest of your life.
You rights may include:
- buying your home
- having your home repaired
- swapping your home with another council or housing association tenant
Secure tenancy
If you became a housing association tenant before 15 January 1989, and are still with the same housing association, you’re likely to be a secure tenant.
You can’t get a secure tenancy if you’re a new resident.
Joint tenancy
Joint tenancies are normally offered to married couples and cohabiting partners.
Ending your tenancy
Your tenancy can only be ended if:
- you give the housing association 4 weeks’ notice in writing
- the housing association evicts you
Assured and secure tenancies can also end if:
- the housing association needs to move you (eg to redevelop your property) – it should offer you a new property and a new assured tenancy
- you transfer your tenancy to someone else or swap homes