Frequently Asked Questions - Tenancy Agreement Proposed Changes

Here are the answers to some questions that might spring to mind when you are reading about the proposed changes to the tenancy agreement.

If you can’t find the answer to the question you are looking for here and need some more information or advice please email tenancyagreement@yhn.org.uk.

Paying for your home Will I lose my rent free weeks with the new tenancy agreement?

The Council are proposing to collect rent and service charges over 52/53 weeks, instead of over 49 weeks which is the way we collect rent at the moment. In reality you pay the ‘rent free’ weeks upfront over the rest of the year. On average each customer pays £5.46 per week on top of their actual rent.

The table below highlights how much you would be short on your housing allowance when claiming Universal Credit compared to the amount of rent you owe; April - December: 49 Week Payable Model

Period

AprNov (34 wks.)

Annual Rent Charge (based on average rent of (£89.96)

Housing Allowance Received

Payable Rent owed

The amount that you would have to make up out of your own money

£4,643

£3,036

£3,221

£186

April - December 52 Week Payable Model The Annual amount Rent that you Charge would Housing Payable (based have to Period Allowance Rent on make Received owed average up out rent of of your (£89.96) own money AprNov (34 wks.) £4,643 £3,036 £3,036 £0

If you want to keep making an overpayment to keep your ‘free weeks’ we are happy for you to do this as long as you have enough credit on your account to cover your rent. You can take your ‘rent free’ week when you choose to do so. The Council are changing this because we want our tenants to have a choice.

Why are you taking away the rent free months?

With the introduction of Universal Credit across the city and paid on a monthly basis, switching to 52/53 week rent payment will make things easier for you because you will get the right amount of housing allowance to cover your rent each month. This will help you keep your rent account up to date and help you budget.

Will I be able to choose what day my tenancy starts on?

Currently tenancies can only start on a Monday. The Council want to offer more flexibility for tenants by starting tenancies on any day of the week.

This means that you can move in as soon as you sign the tenancy agreement.

Absence from your home

Solar Panels

Why have you added this in?

The Council have added this in to help prevent against housing fraud as tenants can only have a Council tenancy if it is their primary home. The Council also need to know if tenants are going to be away from their home for long periods of time in case of emergencies and any circumstances where they may need to quickly, without notice, access your home. It is also to ensure that you know what your responsibilities are when leaving your home for a period of time.

Why have you added this in to the tenancy agreement?

The Council have installed solar panels in a number of properties and so now need the tenancy agreement to reflect the expectations and responsibilities of tenants who have solar panels.

Communal Areas

Looking after your garden

Hasn’t this always been in the tenancy agreement?

Whilst some reference is made to responsibilities of tenants with access to communal areas across the existing agreement, the Council want to bring these responsibilities together in one place to make it stronger.

What happens when the other person/s won’t do their fair share and the upkeep falls solely to me – what can I do about it?

You can discuss this with your local YHN Tenancy and Estates Officer if this issues arises who will work with you to resolve this.

Why have you added lots of information about gardens into the agreement?

The Council want to make the tenancy agreement stronger in relation to garden maintenance as the wider neighbourhood environment has a great impact about on how tenants feel about where they live.

What can I do about my neighbour’s messy garden?

You can report this to your local YHN Tenancy and Estates Officer who will investigate and take appropriate action to ensure the garden is tidy

and meets the requirements of the tenancy agreement.

What do I do when people leave things like bikes and prams in the communal area and block peoples’ way?

We have emphasised tenant’s responsibilities in the new clause in relation to Health and Safety. The new agreement will provide the Council with a stronger tool to deal with tenants that do not comply.

People who jam communal doors open – what can I do about that?

You can let us know via your local YHN Tenancy and Estates Officer if this issue arises who will work with you to resolve this.

Domestic Violence

Shared Access

Hasn’t this always been in the tenancy agreement?

The Council have expanded this section to include other types of domestic abuse and widen the geographical area where the abuse takes place. This will let the Council take action against tenants who are perpetrators.

Why have you added this in?

Though reference is made to access to shared areas in the current tenancy agreement, introducing a separate clause enables the Council to emphasise this responsibility and minimize occasions when access is refused.

How far is the geographical area talked about?

Each case regarding domestic violence will continue to be looked at on a case by case basis individually looking at the circumstances. The new clause states that you do not have to live at the same address strengthening the clause and providing the Council with a tool to act more often against perpetrators when necessary. The Council see this as a positive change.

Will you tell me if you need access?

Yes, you would be given reasonable notice that access is required.

Fixed Term Tenancies What is a fixed term tenancy?

The Government have introduced fixed term tenancy for new tenancies only. Fixed term tenancies have not come into force yet but they will be

General Questions When will the changes happen?

The new tenancy is due to be in place by next April (2018)

referenced in the new tenancy agreement once further detail is known.

Will I have to re-sign my tenancy agreement?

No you won’t have to re-sign your tenancy agreement once the changes are making. We will write to you to confirm what changes have been made.

What happens if people don’t want these changes?

Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle will review all the feedback that we get from customers and will considerer this prior to agreeing the final changes. This is why is really important that you complete your feedback form whether you complete it manually or compete it online so that your views are counted and looked at.

Will I find out that feedback you have had from people and what changes if any you have made as a result?

Yes you will, we will review all the feedback that we get from customers and let people know what we have done with that feedback via our website.

How long have I got to give my feedback?

The deadline for feedback is Monday 24th July.