Tenancy Management Policy
The Tenancy Management Policy sets out our approach to providing an efficient and effective tenancy management service. The policy and underlying procedures, which are set out, are in place to ensure we provide a service which reflects our responsibilities and good practice. By providing robust and consistent tenancy management, we are doing everything reasonably possible to build vibrant, resilient communities and delivering high-quality customer service.
This policy supports the Council’s commitment to championing equality and ensuring procedures are in place so all residents are treated fairly and without unlawful discrimination in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Scope
This policy applies to secure and introductory tenants in housing owned by Kingston Council. This policy does not cover assets such as garages, shops or leasehold or temporary accommodation properties.
The Tenancy Management Policy focuses on managing a tenancy, in terms of customer rights and ensuring that customers are aware of their responsibilities and adhere to them. This policy is designed to inform staff and customers and ensure a fair and consistent service is provided.
The policy covers the following areas:
- Creating a new tenancy
- Changes in tenancies including succession, assignment and mutual exchanges
- Managing and sustaining tenancies
- Our approach to relationship breakdown
This policy should be read in conjunction with our other housing policies detailed below;
- Anti Social Behaviour policy
- Domestic Abuse Policy
- Allocations Scheme
- Rent arrears and income collection policy
- Rechargeable Repairs Policy
The tenant is responsible for telling RBK when they have changes to their household. This includes persons moving in, persons leaving the property, and to their marital status or the number of children in the household. This should also include changes to contact details or vulnerabilities. It is important if any of these changes have taken place that you contact the contact centre and ask to speak to your housing officer on 0208 547 5003 or if you are on the housing register by completing the change in circumstances form.
A sole tenancy is where one member of the household signs the tenancy and is responsible for ensuring the household fulfils the responsibilities set out within the tenancy agreement. This includes paying the rent and ensuring no one in the household is responsible for causing anti-social behaviour. Where there is a breach of tenancy, the sole tenant is accountable, even if a member of their household or guest is responsible
A Joint Tenancy is where both people have the responsibility for meeting the requirements of the tenancy agreement. Both tenants are entitled to stay in the home until the end of the tenancy and both joint tenants will be responsible for all the rent regardless of whether they live in the property or not. The Council will offer this tenancy to a maximum of two people and recognises applications for joint tenancies where two people are married or in a civil partnership. Joint tenancies will not be offered to anyone else who may be living in your home.
In order to apply for a joint tenancy, you will need to provide proof of marriage or civil partnership.
The Council will offer joint tenancies to couples who can prove they have been cohabiting for at least 12 months. Joint tenants will have equal rights to the tenancy and an opportunity to have their say in consultation undertaken by the Council.