Housing

Conditions of Tenancy - Chapter 1

Definitions

This section sets out what we mean when we use particular terms throughout the agreement. Some of them are obvious, but this list may help you understand some sections more clearly.

Demoted tenancy

This means that a secure tenancy is replaced with a less secure tenancy, removing a number of tenancy rights including the right to buy and the right to succession. If a court grants an order to demote a tenancy, the demoted tenancy lasts for a year.

During this time it is much easier for us to take possession of the property if behaviour does not change.

Emergency services

The police, the fire brigade and the ambulance service.

Estate officer

A member of staff we employ to manage tenancies.

Eviction

This is where we can have you, other people living there and all belongings removed from the property after we have applied to the court for a possession order.

Exchange

To swap tenancies with another person.

Fixtures and fittings

All our appliances and furnishings in the property, including installations for supplying or using gas, electricity and water, which are a permanent part of the property and which must not be removed. Some examples of fixtures and fittings, but not a complete list, are:

Kitchen units
Pipe work
Meters
Baths
Sinks
Taps and drainage fittings
Electrical sockets and wiring
All windows and doors both inside and outside; and
Door and window furniture (handles, catches, locks and stays)

Flat

A home, which is part of, and entirely on 1 floor of, a building (not including bungalows).

Fly tipping

This means illegally dumping rubbish on land. Fly tipping is a serious offence and we will always prosecute if evidence is available.

Furniture

Although generally not the case, some properties may include a few items of furniture. If this is the case, 'furniture' refers to all the items, which will be included on a list as part of your tenancy agreement.

Garden

Lawns, hedges, flower beds, trees, shrubs, outside walls, fences, paths and paved areas.

Improvement

Any alteration or addition to the property.

Lodger

A person who pays you money to let them live in the property with you.

Maisonette

A self-contained home that often has 2 floors and its own entrance.

Neighbourhood

The area where the property is, including privately owned or housing-association properties, local shops and facilities serving the local area.

Neighbours

Your neighbours include everyone living in the local area, including those people who may not live in our accommodation.

Partner

Any person who lives with you in an established relationship, other than a relative.

Possession order

This is an application we make to a court to take back possession of (repossess) the property. If a court grants an order, this means you, any other people living there and all your belongings will have to leave the property.

Property

The property in which you live, including any garden but not including any shared areas.

Relative

Parents, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, in-laws, step-relatives and adopted children.

Secure tenant

By law, secure tenants have the right to stay in a property. We cannot remove a secure tenant from a property unless a court grants an 'order of possession'.

Service charges

All charges other than rent and water-service charges you must pay under the tenancy agreement.

Shared areas

The parts of the building which all tenants can use, for example, halls, stairways, entrances, landings, shared gardens, lawns and landscaped areas.

Social landlord

This is the technical name for landlords that are run as businesses but don't trade for profit and provide housing mainly for rent. As we have a limited supply of housing, we work closely with social landlords to provide extra housing in the borough.

Sublet

Allowing another person to live in the property instead of yourself.

Succession

This is the term used to describe the tenancy of a council property passing to a member of the household or family who lives in the home when the original tenant dies, but only where that person qualifies by law.

Tolerated trespasser

This means we do not recognise that you have any legal right to stay in the property and that we can start court proceedings to evict you without giving you notice.

Vehicle

A car, bus, lorry, motorbike, bike, boat, caravan and so on.

Visitors

Anyone who comes into the neighbourhood to visit your home or a member of your household (the visit can take place in your home or within the boundaries of the neighbourhood).

We, us, our

The Council of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, and our officers, approved Subcontractors and Agents.

Written permission

A letter from us giving you permission to do certain things.

You, your

The tenant, and in the case of joint tenants, either or both of them.