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    Tenancy types

    When you become a tenant with us you enter into a relationship. Relationships need commitments from both sides to make them work and this one is no different.

    There are different types of tenancy agreements, and your rights as a tenant depend on the type of agreement you have. Here's what you need to know about the types of tenancy agreement we offer and how this affects you.

    If you are not sure which type of tenancy agreement you have, it will be written on your agreement, or you can contact us to find out.

    • Starter tenancy

      Most new West Kent tenants will be given a starter tenancy. This is to allow time to establish that you are able to manage your tenancy well.

      A starter tenancy is usually granted for 12 months. This can be extended to 18 months or ended after six months if you are not managing your tenancy properly. 

      We will talk to you throughout the starter period to review how well you have managed your tenancy. We will speak to you about: 

      • Account management - how well you have kept up with rent payments.
      • Your behaviour - whether you have been the subject of any reports of anti-social behaviour, whether you have let us in to conduct necessary checks. 
      • Affordability - whether you can still afford your home or if you earn enough to explore other options. 
      • Condition of your home - whether you have made any unauthorised improvements, or there is unreasonable damage, or there are any health and safety concerns. 
      • Who lives in your home - whether the number of people living in your home has changed. 
      • Adaptations - if the property has a disabled adaptation is it still needed? 

      Near the end of your starter period, we will use these areas to decide whether to:

      • offer you a longer tenancy, or
      • end the tenancy.
    • Fixed-term tenancy

      We offer a five-year fixed-term tenancy. This means that you will remain a West Kent tenant for five years unless you decide to leave or we take court action to end your tenancy early. 

      We will talk to you throughout the five-year period to review how well you have managed your tenancy. We will speak to you about: 

      • Account management - how well you have kept up with rent payments. 
      • Your behaviour - whether you have been the subject of any reports of anti-social behaviour, whether you have let us in to conduct necessary checks. 
      • Affordability - whether you can still afford your home or if you earn enough to explore other options. 
      • Condition of your home - whether you have made any unauthorised improvements, or there is unreasonable damage, or there are any health and safety concerns. 
      • Who lives in your home - whether the number of people living in your home has changed.
      • Adaptations - if the property has a disabled adaptation, is it still needed? 

      Near the end of the tenancy, we will use these areas to decide whether to: 

      • offer you another fixed-term tenancy, or
      • end the tenancy.

      We must give you six months notice of our decision in writing. You have the right to appeal our decision. 

    • Assured tenancy

      An assured tenancy means you can stay in your home until you decide to leave or we take court action to end your tenancy. 

      We cannot ask you to leave unless you have broken the terms of your tenancy. 

    • Secure/protected tenancy

      We no longer grant this type of tenancy. 

      If you have a secure tenancy this means you can stay in your home until you decide to leave or we take court action to end your tenancy.

    What will I get?

    Most new West Kent tenants will be granted a starter tenancy for 12 months. This will usually convert into a five-year fixed-term tenancy at the end of the starter period.

    If you already have an assured tenancy with a registered provider of social housing before April 2012, you will be given an assured tenancy.

    If you are moving into one of our Emerald homes you will be given an assured tenancy.

    To be completed by current tenant

    To be completed by you, the tenant

    Your partner
    Living arrangements
    Month and year
    Sign and date
    Personal details

    To be completed by your partner

    Your partner needs to complete the following questions before you can submit your application
    Living arrangements
    Month and year
    Previous addresses
    Home ownership


    Other tenancy arrangements


    Weekly income and savings
    Declaration – please read carefully before signing

    I certify that

    I would like to become a joint tenant with the current tenant at this property (as named above). I realise that if this is agreed, I am jointly and severally responsible for all the terms of the tenancy agreement, including the rent account. I have not been excluded from West Kent Housing Association. There is no reason for West Kent to exclude me. I agree that all the details I have given above are correct. I understand that giving any false information or withholding of information could lead to West Kent refusing this application or ending any tenancy offered to me.