Your tenancy - Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission to erect a satellite dish?
What options do I have if I want to move?
Who do I contact if I experience problems with my neighbour?
My home is too large and I want to move to a smaller place
I live on an estate where there is a lot of work going on. What’s going to happen to me?
What do I need to do to end my tenancy?
What happens to me if the named tenant dies?
Am I able to add anyone onto my tenancy?
Can I transfer my tenancy to someone else?
Can I have lodgers or sublet part of my home?
What do I do if I am away from my home for more than six weeks?
Do I have to notify you if my household composition changes?
Do I need permission to keep a pet?
Can I get help with my gardening?
I need my property adapted as I have a disability. Who can help me?
What do I do if the block, surrounding areas, or rubbish outside has not been cleared?
Are there any works planned for my home or my immediate area?
Do I need permission to erect a satellite dish?
Yes. You will need to write to your Housing Officer and may need to get planning permission from the Ealing Council. If written consent is given, it will be subject to certain conditions that you are required to comply with. Please consider other options such as a Freeview or Digibox instead.
Note: All communal blocks in the London Borough of Ealing will be going digital by 2010 and the
whole of London will go digital by 2012.
What options do I have if I want to move?
There is a shortage of social rented housing nationwide and this is especially the case in London. However, there are options available, which include:
· transfer via the Locata Scheme
· the Out of London Scheme
· the Out of London Rent Deposit Scheme;
· low cost homeownership
· the HomeSwapper Scheme (mutual exchange).
If you are elderly you can be considered for housing in a Sheltered Housing Scheme or housing in one of the new Extra Care Homes.
There are leaflets produced by Ealing Council available from the Area Housing Offices, for example, ‘Housing Options for Older People’ and ‘Housing Options for Homeseekers and Tenants’. A leaflet about the HomeSwapper Scheme is also available.
Your Housing Officer can provide more information.
Important: To be eligible for a move you must have a clear rent account. Your Tenancy Agreement
states your rent should be paid one week in advance or, if you pay monthly, one month in advance.
Who do I contact if I experience problems with my neighbour?
In the first instance, and if it is possible, try to resolve it yourself. A large number of neighbour disputes start with a misunderstanding and/or lack of communication. If you feel you are unable to resolve the situation yourself, you should consider contacting Ealing Mediation Service (EMS). EMS is an independent organisation which has been set up to assist residents in dispute in an environment where all parties feel comfortable to discuss their problems in order to reach a compromise. You are able to make a self-referral either by calling EMS or by emailing them directly, and your landlord will not get involved. EMS is an extremely successful way of resolving minor disputes before they escalate.
If, however, the matter is more severe, contact your Housing Officer within the Antisocial Behaviour Team, based in the Area Housing Offices.
We are committed to tackling antisocial behaviour, harassment and domestic violence on our estates and will take swift enforcement action against the perpetrators. We will always take prevention and early intervention steps in the first instance. An antisocial behaviour leaflet produced by Ealing Homes can be collected from your Area Housing Office.
Suspected squatters and unauthorised occupants can be reported on the freephone number at the
back of this leaflet.
Do we get money for moving?
Ealing Homes has introduced the Tidy Clearance Scheme. You may be paid £100 if you leave your home clean and clear when you move out.
You must fill in a Notice to Quit form first, which we can help you with. When we receive the form we will write to you and let you know we have received it. We will also tell you the date when we will visit before you leave your home. We will tell you about the Tidy Clearance Scheme when we visit you.
You must make your claim for the £100 within four weeks of the tenancy ending. Our Voids and Disrepair Team will decide if you are eligible for the money. A Tidy Clearance Scheme leaflet is available at our Area Housing Offices. Your Housing Officer can give you more information too.
This scheme is not available for tenants that move through the Locata Scheme.
My home is too large and I want to move to a smaller place
If your home is too big and you would like to move to a smaller home, the Tenant Incentive Scheme offers an incentive of £1,000 for every bedroom that you give up.
If you wish to move out of London via the Rent Deposit Scheme, Ealing Council will pay the first month’s deposit to the new private landlord and will also pay your travelling expenses for viewing purposes.
Note: You will not qualify for the Tidy Clearance Scheme if you transfer through the Locata
Scheme. However, if you are considering transferring via the Locata Scheme to a smaller property,
and have rent arrears, the £1,000 payment will be paid into your rent account to offset any arrears
you may have. The cost of removals must be met by yourself.
I live on an estate where there is a lot of work going on. What’s going to happen to me?
Some estates are subject to regeneration. This means we apply for funding from central government to enable us to redevelop your homes in partnership with housing associations and other housing providers. This can include basic refurbishment as well as dramatic redevelopment of your estate. Resident involvement in improvement decisions and community activities are important on all our estates.
Ealing Council is regenerating the South Acton Estate and part of the Golf Links Estate in Southall. Some blocks will be demolished and if you live in one of these, and hold a secure tenancy, you will qualify for urgent rehousing and receive up to a £4,000 Home Loss payment to help with your move.
The Council operates a Buy Back Scheme to repurchase homes from leaseholders. Our Home Ownership Team can give you more details.
We provide secure tenants with temporary accommodation if fire or flood damages their home, as
long as the damage was not caused by their negligence. Secure tenants also get financial assistance
known as a Disturbance Payment to help them set up their temporary home. Further financial help is
available to support secure tenants moving back into their home.
What do I need to do to end my tenancy?
Your Tenancy Agreement states that you must give your landlord four weeks’ notice before ending your tenancy. Therefore you will be required to complete and submit a valid Notice to Quit to your Housing Officer. The Notice must always expire on a Monday and all the keys to your property must be handed into your Area Housing Office by 12 noon on the Monday that your Notice ends. If the keys are handed in any later than this you will be charged rent until the keys are received. You must clear any rent arrears before vacating and must ensure that you leave the property (including loft spaces, sheds, outbuildings, garages, gardens and storage cupboards) clear of all rubbish, floor coverings, furniture and any other unwanted possessions. You must also ensure that your property is left in a good condition and state of repair.
Contact your Housing Officer for further information. Alternatively you can pick up a ‘Moving Out: Ending Your Tenancy’ leaflet produced by Ealing Homes from your Area Housing Office.
Note: London Borough of Ealing currently operates a Special Collection service for residents who
wish to dispose of bulky items. Up to eight items can be accepted in a single collection for a fee.
Fridges and freezers can also be collected for a fee. For further details see back of this leaflet.
What happens to me if the named tenant dies?
Bereavement is a difficult time for you and we are here to give you all the necessary advice and information that you require about what happens to the tenancy.
In the event of the tenant dying, the Housing Officer must be informed immediately and provided with the death certificate of the deceased. As next of kin or executor of the estate you will need to arrange to clear the property and return the keys with vacant possession as soon as possible, and no later than four weeks from the death of the tenant. You should arrange to notify the Housing Benefit Department as any entitlement ends from the Sunday following the death, and full rent is charged until the keys are returned and the tenancy formally ended.
Where family members remain in occupation, they can, subject to certain conditions and criteria, inherit the tenancy upon the death of the existing tenant. This is known as succession. Succession rules are covered by the 1985 Housing Act (as amended) which clearly defines who and when someone can claim succession rights.
You will need to provide proof of at least 12 months’ residency. Your Housing Officer can give you detailed information on what documented evidence is needed.
Note: In law only one succession per tenancy can be granted. If you think you may be eligible to
succeed contact your Housing Officer.
Am I able to add anyone onto my tenancy?
In certain circumstances it may be possible for you to apply to include your spouse, partner or other close member of your family onto the Tenancy Agreement. This is known as a joint tenancy.
There is no obligation for your landlord to grant such requests, however, if you hold a secure tenancy that has not been passed down via a succession or assignment, and the creation of a joint tenancy will not result in any overcrowding or under occupation, your request can be considered.
Joint tenants have a joint responsibility for the tenancy, which means all parties are individually and jointly responsible for any conditions of the tenancy. If either party gives notice to terminate the agreement, the whole of the tenancy will come to an end.
Contact your Housing Officer for further information.
Can I transfer my tenancy to someone else?
Yes. This is known as an assignment. An assignment is the way in which a tenant can, during his/her lifetime, transfer his/her tenancy to someone who would have succession rights. It is important to remember that following an assignment the original tenancy still exists just with a new person – no new tenancy will be created. You will need to obtain written consent from Ealing Homes before an assignment can take place. For further information contact your Housing Officer.
Note: Assignments are only permitted in certain circumstances and then only to a ‘would be
successor’. Exceptions to this rule are mutual exchanges and orders made by the court in a
matrimonial situation.
Can I have lodgers or sublet part of my home?
The difference between a lodger and a subtenant is that a lodger will normally share your home, paying for bills and upkeep. A subtenant has their own part of the home where you would need their permission to go, and they would do their own cooking and cleaning.
Whilst you do not need written permission from your landlord to take in lodgers, you have a duty to notify us of any changes to your household composition.
If you wish to sublet part of your home, you must get written permission from Ealing Homes in advance. You cannot sublet your entire home.
If you are claiming benefits, you must tell the Housing Benefit Office, as a lodger/subtenant
will affect your entitlement. We will only refuse your request to sublet part of your property for
a good reason, i.e., to prevent it from becoming overcrowded.
What do I do if I am away from my home for more than six weeks?
You must inform your Housing Officer in advance if you will not be occupying your home for a period longer than six weeks and give access and contact details. Failing to notify is a breach of section 5.1.1 of your Tenancy Agreement. You must also remember to ensure your rent is paid in full during the absence.
Health and safety note: If you are away from your home for more than two weeks you are advised,
on your return, to run the hot water taps for 10 minutes and to flush the toilet twice before use
to clear the systems and avoid any risk of water contamination. This does not apply to the main
water supply. The risk of contamination only applies to water left standing in water tanks or
toilet cisterns.
Do I have to notify you if my household composition changes?
Yes. If there are any changes to your household you must notify us straight away. If there is a birth in the family, you will need to show your Housing Officer the original full birth certificate, a copy of which will be kept on your file. If you are claiming benefits, you must also notify the Housing Benefit Section, as the make up of your household will affect your entitlement.
Note: Not all additions to the household are accepted for transfer purposes. Your Housing
Officer can advise you further.
Do I need permission to keep a pet?
Yes. Section 5.11 of your Tenancy Agreement states you need to seek written permission from the
landlord and, if permission is given, it may be subject to conditions. Permission will not be given
or can be withdrawn if the animal is, or is likely to become, a nuisance, annoyance or health
hazard. Under no circumstances should you allow the animal into communal areas unattended or
without a lead.
Can I get help with my gardening?
If you live in a property with a private garden, it is your responsibility to maintain the garden at all times. This includes repairing any garden fences and gates.
You can apply to be included on the Older People Gardening Scheme if you are aged over 70, registered disabled and live on your own. For inclusion into this scheme contact the Tenancy Support Team.
If your circumstances do not fall into the above criteria, but you are having difficulties
maintaining your garden, then contact your Housing Officer if you wish to discuss exchanging your
home to one without the exclusive use of a garden. We have many residents that want gardens and
would be prepared to maintain these to decent acceptable
standards.
I need my property adapted as I have a disability. Who can help me?
You can contact the Occupational Therapist in Social Services direct by telephoning or writing to
them. If you want assistance with this ask your Housing Officer. In both cases a referral form is
completed, which can be obtained from your Area Housing Office. Contact details are at the back of
this leaflet.
What do I do if the block, surrounding areas, or rubbish outside has not been cleared?
Your caretaker is responsible for cleaning internal communal areas (i.e. lobbies, halls, corridors, stairs and lifts), cleansing and disinfecting hoppers and chutes and cleaning external areas, in conjunction with other contractors. Most caretaking and cleaning takes place from Monday to Friday, however, emergency cover is available over the weekend. See the back of this leaflet for contact details.
Removal of bulky items is your own responsibility and you will need to make separate
arrangements to dispose of them. See also note at the end of ’What to do to end my tenancy’.
Are there any works planned for my home or my immediate area?
The Decent Homes programme is a £300 million project aimed at bringing more than 10,000 local council homes and almost 150 estates up to the government’s Decent Homes Standard. This means all homes must be warm, weatherproof, in sound structural repair and have a reasonably modern kitchen and bathroom. The Decent Homes Team will also be improving security in blocks thereby helping to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. For further information see the back of this leaflet. You can also collect a leaflet called ‘Decent Homes: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Work in your Home’ from your Area Housing Office.
Residents (both London Borough of Ealing tenants and leaseholders) can apply for small
improvements to their area, which would be funded from the Small Estates Scheme. This can be done
through the local Resident Association/community group or by a group of residents living in a
block. Applications need to be made in writing and provide evidence (i.e. minutes of a meeting or a
petition) that affected residents have been consulted and the majority are in favour of the scheme.
Successful schemes in the past include fencing of a green area to give protection to children at
play, improvement to play areas, gating footpath access to prevent cars from accessing a resident
only area, improvements to communal areas, the erection of notice boards, improved lighting for
communal areas, improvements to communal drying areas and benches for communal areas. Each scheme
should cost no more than £20,000. If your neighbours would like to apply for a scheme contact your
Area Housing Office for further information.
Can I get extra help to manage my tenancy?
Yes. If you are experiencing difficulties with managing your tenancy due to a disability or
vulnerability, you can contact the Tenancy Support Team direct who will be able to assess your
support needs. Alternatively you can contact your Housing Officer who can make a referral on your
behalf.
The Tenancy Support service can assist you with settling you into your home, including
connecting to utilities, reporting repairs, obtaining furniture through a Community Care Grant
Application and dealing with day to day issues. It can also help to develop you through support and
referrals for education training and employment programmes. To benefit from this service see the
back of this leaflet for contact details.
