Starter Tenancy Policy

The Group is committed to sustainable tenancies and sustainable communities where our customers can thrive and prosper; engaging with customers to ensure that our neighbourhoods are cleaner and safer places to live. We will aim to achieve this through the use of measures such as Starter Tenancies. The use of Starter Tenancies will also be used to encourage adherence to the conditions within the tenancy agreement and an understanding of the importance of paying rent as part of the tenancy.

It is our aim to convert all Starter Tenancies at the end of the 12-month period to Assured Tenancies. We will ensure that we use our proactive tenancy support services, such as Money Advice, Tenancy Support Officers and our Employment and Training Advisor as well as signposting our customers to partner agencies where appropriate to successfully sustain tenancies.

This Policy provides a clear and consistent approach across Longhurst Group in the use and management of Starter Tenancies.

The key objectives of this Policy are to:

• define what a Starter Tenancy
• detail when it will be used and the legal and regulatory framework that we are required to comply with; and
• outline how Starter Tenancies will be used to manage breaches of tenancy conditions.

Introductory Tenancies were introduced in 1997 under Part V of the Housing Act 1996 but were only available to local authorities. In 1999 the Housing Corporation gave authority to RSLs to use Starter Tenancies, which operate along similar lines to Introductory tenancies, but are based on an initial Assured Shorthold Tenancy being converted into an Assured Non-Shorthold Tenancy on successful completion of a probationary period.

The Regulatory Framework for Social Housing in England and Wales states.

“Registered Providers shall offer tenancies or terms of occupation which are compatible with the purpose of the accommodation, the needs of individual households, the sustainability of the community, and the efficient use of their housing stock;

“Where registered providers use Probationary tenancies, these shall be for a maximum of 12 months, or a maximum of 18 months where reasons for extending the probationary period have been given and where the tenant has the opportunity to request a review;

“Registered Providers shall grant those who were social housing tenants on the day on which Section 154 of the Localism Act 2011 comes into force, and have remained social housing tenants since that date, a tenancy with no less security where they choose to move to another social rented home, whether this is with the same or another landlord. (This requirement does not apply where tenants choose to move to accommodation let on Affordable Rent terms).”

This policy sets out how we will allocate and manage Starter Tenancies across the Group.

Starter Tenancies will provide customers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they can sustain a tenancy and comply with the conditions of a tenancy agreement.

Starter Tenancies will allow us to take enforcement action to tackle breaches of tenancy and to protect communities from Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), where it is justified and reasonable to do so.

As a key principle, Starter Tenancies will not be converted to an Assured tenancy where any rent arrears or tenancy related debt exists and/or there has been an unsatisfactory rent payment history. An unsatisfactory rent payment history includes a clear trend of the account being in arrears, ad-hoc payments made after the rent is due and broken payment arrangements. We will always take and manage each case on an individual basis, and we will consider engagement, a clear attempt over the duration of the tenancy to reduce or clear the arrears and an ongoing realistic payment plan when making the decision whether to terminate, extend or convert the tenancy. We will also consider any change of circumstances which may have resulted in unavoidable arrears accruing during the Starter Tenancy period.

A clear rent account is not sufficient for a Starter Tenancy to be converted should there be examples of poor rent payment. This list is not exhaustive, and each account is individually reviewed before any Section 21 notice is issued.

Through the Pre-Tenancy process and throughout the probationary period, colleagues should clearly communicate with customers the concept of a Starter Tenancy and their role in managing and preventing ASB, ensuring payment of rent and the implications of tenancy breaches.

Starter Tenancies will be managed in accordance with the Starter Tenancy procedure cohesively across Longhurst Group.

Through our pre-tenancy process, we will identify customers with support needs and whom may be experiencing difficulties with managing and complying with their tenancy agreement and signpost to the appropriate internal services and external agencies where possible, ensuring a scaffold of support is in place to assist the customer in sustaining the tenancy. For any support needs that may be identified once the tenancy has started, the same principles will be put in place.

This policy applies to all parts of the Longhurst Group.

The policy applies to the management of all Starter Tenancies.

The Starter Tenancy appeal procedure will also be used when terminating a tenancy using any mandatory ground.

A Starter Tenancy is a Periodic Assured Shorthold tenancy that runs initially for a period of 12 months. If the tenancy is conducted satisfactorily, it will automatically convert to an Assured Tenancy after 12 months. A customer with a Starter Tenancy who has broken the conditions of their tenancy agreement can be evicted using the standard Assured Shorthold Tenancy grounds. This means that we must give the tenant two months’ written notice under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. Should the tenant fail to leave the property, we may then pursue possession under the Accelerated Possession procedure.

Customers on a Starter Tenancy will broadly have the same rights as those on an Assured tenancy in areas such as:

• Right to
• Right to Succession; and
• Right to be Consulted. They will not have the:
• Right to improve or claim compensation for
• Right to exchange; or
• Right to

Starter Tenancies will be granted to all new customers in general needs and sheltered housing accommodation unless the applicant held immediately prior to a tenancy being offered by a Group member an Assured or Secure tenancy that commenced before 1st April 2012 (please note if the customer holds an existing LG tenancy, then they will retain security of tenure).

For all survivors fleeing domestic abuse, we will offer an assured tenancy as standard when moving into their new home, providing security of tenure.

Starter Tenancies will also be granted to all incoming customers via a mutual exchange where the exchange is achieved through a surrender and re-grant, i.e. where the incoming customer currently holds a fixed term tenancy at a social rent and the outgoing group customer holds an Assured tenancy which commenced prior to 1st April 2012.

Customers will agree a weekly Periodic Assured Shorthold Tenancy and this tenancy will become an Assured Non-Shorthold Tenancy 12 months after the commencement of the tenancy (or at the end of any period of extension) unless before that date:

• we have served a notice under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988; or
• we have served a notice under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988; or
• we have notified the tenant in writing that the tenancy probationary period is to be

Where any of the above applies, the tenancy will continue to be a Periodic Assured Shorthold tenancy until the earlier of the following occurs:

• the Court grants us possession of the
• a Notice Requiring Possession has come to an end, provided we have not applied to Court for possession of the
• the day after any legal action for possession of the property has ended, provided the Court has not granted an Order for Possession; or
• any extension period has ended, and we have not taken any legal

Where no breach of tenancy has been identified, the tenancy will automatically convert to an Assured Non-Shorthold Tenancy at the end of the 12-month probationary period. A confirmation letter must be sent to the customer after expiry of the 12-month probationary period.

When the tenancy converts into an assured tenancy, there is no need to issue a new tenancy agreement.

If the conduct of the tenancy has not been managed satisfactorily, in some circumstances it may be deemed reasonable and proportionate to extend the probationary period as an alternative to terminating the tenancy. Extending a Starter Tenancy is intended to be an opportunity for customers to modify their behaviour and demonstrate an ability to adhere to the terms and conditions of their tenancy agreement. It is also aimed to deliver a strong message that we will not tolerate any breach of the terms of their tenancy agreement and that this would likely result in them losing their home. The maximum period a starter tenancy can be extended is six months. The reason for extending the tenancy will be given to the tenant in writing before the 12-month starter tenancy period has expired.

Starter tenancies are effectively Periodic Assured Shorthold Tenancies during the first 12 months. Such tenancies may be terminated within this probationary period by service of a Section 21 Notice (this cannot be served within the initial 4 months), giving the customer a minimum of 2 months’ notice of the requirement for them to vacate the property. If the property has not been vacated on expiry of the Notice, we will begin Accelerated Possession Proceedings.

If a serious breach of tenancy has occurred, we reserve the right to commence Accelerated or Standard Possession Proceedings against the tenancy without delay.

Where the starter tenancy is at risk of being terminated, we will enact the Commitment to Refer by informing the relevant partner agencies, such as the Local Authority homelessness and housing advice team, social services, mental health services (where applicable) etc… to inform them of any potential possession action and for them to ensure the customer is fully supported and their options made clear should their tenancy be terminated.

Following the service of a Section 21 Notice, the customer will have the right of appeal and review against the decision to end their tenancy. To appeal, the customer is required to outline the reasons in writing as to why we should reconsider issuing a Section 21 notice to gain possession of the home. An advocate supporting the customer can help to make the appeal or it can be written by a representative organisation, such as the Citizens Advice Bureaux. Upon receipt of the appeal, this is reviewed by the Head of Income Services or the Head of Housing Services who will fully investigate the history of the tenancy and provide a written conclusion to the customer based on the evidence available.