If you are a new council tenant, the first 12 months of your tenancy is called an introductory tenancy. This is a kind of trial period.

If you keep to the conditions of the tenancy, you will become a secure tenant once the initial 12-month period is over.

Things that would break your tenancy conditions include:

• not paying your rent
• anti-social behaviour
• hate crime.

Your rights

As an introductory tenant you have the right to:

• have your home repaired
• succeed to the tenancy
• get information on passing your tenancy to another person
• be consulted about issues that affect your tenancy.

You do not have the right to:

• take in lodgers
• sublet part of your home
• exchange your property
• buy your property

What if I have moved from another council house?

If you are already a secure tenant and move to another council property, you will not become an introductory tenant again.