Secure tenancies
If you have an introductory tenancy with a registered housing association or the Housing Executive, you become a secure tenant automatically after 12 months. This happens as long as you don't break the introductory tenancy conditions.
Your rights as a secure tenant
As a secure tenant you have the right to:
- live in your home for the rest of your life as long as you follow the terms of your tenancy agreement
- apply to buy your home at a discount after a qualifying period through the House sales scheme - this is not possible for tenants in certain types of property, sheltered or supported accommodation
- 'succession' - if a secure tenant dies, the tenant can pass their tenancy on to a close relative who has been living with them for 12 months before their death but this is dependent on certain conditions
- take in lodgers and sub-let part of your home with your landlord's written consent, but this could affect any housing benefits you receive
- have your home repaired - your landlord is responsible for certain repairs but you're also responsible for repairs
- improve your home if you have your landlord's written consent
- be compensated for certain improvements you have made if you move home
- help to manage your estate
- apply to transfer to a different Housing Executive or housing association property
- exchange your property for another if both landlords give written consent
- be consulted on housing management matters
- receive information about how your landlord runs their homes
Tenancy agreement
Your landlord should give you a written tenancy agreement. Your landlord should explain:
- the type of tenancy you have
- your rights and responsibilities
- circumstances when the landlord could evict you
- how repairs should be carried out
- how much rent you have to pay, when you have to pay and when the landlord can increase rent
Your responsibilities as a secure tenant
As a secure tenant, you must:
- meet your tenancy agreement terms
- pay your rent on time
- be a good neighbour by not causing nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to other tenants
- make sure anyone living at or visiting your property does not cause annoyance or disturb other tenants
- keep your property and garden in good condition
- allow landlords and their agents into your property to inspect and carry out repairs
- give your landlord four weeks notice when ending your tenancy
Problems with your tenancy
If you find it difficult to maintain your tenancy, you should contact the landlord's local office. They might be able to help or refer you to a support service or other agency.
Other tenancies registered housing associations provide
Most registered housing association tenants living in self-contained accommodation are secure tenants.
Some people who rent from a housing association have a different tenancy. You aren't a secure tenant if:
- your tenancy started less than a year ago and your housing association operates an introductory tenancy
- you work for the housing association and your home comes with your job, you're probably a service occupier
- Introductory tenancies
Buying your property
The House Sales scheme gives eligible tenants of the Housing Executive and registered housing associations the right to buy their home from their landlord at a discount.