Home > Residents > Tenants Handbook > 2 - Your Tenancy > Rights and Responsibilities

The tenancy agreement that you have signed is a legal contract between you and Hexagon Housing. It sets out the things that you and we have to do. This leaflet is designed to explain in simple terms some of your responsibilities and rights as a tenant of Hexagon. It is not a full explanation of your tenancy agreement, so if you have any queries please contact the Customer Services Centre.

Your responsibilities

• Everyone has the right to enjoy life in their own way providing they do not disturb those living near them. A good neighbour will tolerate and understand the different lifestyles of others. The following is a list of your responsibilities:

Rent

• You are responsible for paying the rent and other charges weekly and in advance

Family and Visitors

• You are responsible for the behaviour of every person living in or visiting your home. You are responsible for them in your home, in communal areas and in the neighbourhood around your home

Nuisance

• You, your household or your visitors must not cause a nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to any other person. An example of nuisance is playing loud music, or doing noisy DIY late at night

Use of your home

• You, your household or your visitors must not use your home or any communal area for any illegal activity
• You, your household or your visitors must not damage, deface or draw graffiti on Hexagon Housing Association's property. If you do, you will have to pay for repair or replacement
• You must not run a business from your home without our permission
• You must keep your home clean and redecorate when necessary
• You must allow our officers or representatives to enter or inspect your home, or carry out any necessary repairs

Harassment

• You, your household or your visitors must not harass any other person

Domestic Violence

• You must not inflict domestic violence. You must not harass or use mental, emotional or sexual abuse to make anyone who lives with you leave the home. Please see Information Sheet 2.8 for more information.

Pets

• You must ask us for permission if you want to keep any animal. Please see Information Sheet 2.10 for more information.

Vehicles

• You, your household and your visitors must not park a vehicle anywhere on your property except in defined parking areas
• You must not do major car repairs or park an illegal or unroadworthy vehicle on the land around your home or on the road

In and around your home

• You must not place or store goods in any communal area or obstruct any corridors, staircases, balconies or lifts
• You must not put up structures such as sheds or garages anywhere on your property without our consent
• You must not keep or use bottled gas, paraffin, petrol or any other dangerous material in your home or in communal areas
• You must keep your garden tidy by cutting the lawn and trimming the hedges

Ending the tenancy

• You must give us at least 4 weeks’ notice in writing when you wish to end your tenancy
• You must leave the home in a clean and tidy condition, in a reasonable state of decorative repair and remove all rubbish, furniture and personal possessions before your tenancy ends. If you do not, we will charge you for any work we have to do

Your rights

• The Tenancy Agreement gives you the following rights:

Tenancy matters

• We must seek your views if we are considering any changes to the Tenancy Agreement

Right to occupy

• You can stay in your home for as long as you choose, as long as you keep to the terms of your Tenancy Agreement
• You can live in your home without interruption or interference from us. The only exception to this is that you must allow us
  and our contractors and consultants to come into your home if we need to
• You can have access to your home, including any communal facilities, at all times

Repairs

• We must repair and maintain certain parts of your home and keep it in safe condition
• You will be told what your repair responsibilities are
• You will get repairs done to your home within set times. Please see Information Sheet 3.1 for more information.

Compensation

• You will be able to claim compensation for outstanding repairs, under the Right to Repair
• You will be able to make certain improvements to your home yourself and possibly be compensated for them if you move out. You will be offered alternative accommodation and a disturbance allowance if extensive work is being done to your home, with a special payment if you cannot move back. Please see Information Sheet 3.1 for more information.

Consultation

• You will be consulted about long term maintenance and improvement work that we plan to carry out in your home

Lodgers

• You can invite other people to live with you, provided you have our consent, and you do not make your home overcrowded
• You can have a lodger or can sub-let part of your home, provided you have our consent. Please see Information Sheet 2.9 for more information.

Succession

• In some circumstances, your tenancy will be passed on to your spouse or a person living with you at the time of your death

Participation

• You will be given opportunities to get involved and influence services
• You will be consulted by us on the management of your home and the services you receive. Please see Information Sheet 2.3 for more information.

Complaints

• You will be able to make a complaint to your landlord
• You can refer a complaint about us to an independent ombudsman. Please see Information Sheet 1.7 for more information.

Information

• You can see information that your landlord holds about you . Please see Information Sheet 1.6 for more information.
• You will know what rent and service charges you must pay
• You will be notified in advance of any change in your rent or service charge payments

Mutual Exchange

• You may exchange your home with another person, with our consent. Please see Information Sheet 4.1 for more information.

Printer Friendly Version