Being an AVHL tenant
Before moving into their new home, all our tenants are required to sign a tenancy agreement. The tenancy agreement sets out in detail what is expected of you, and what you can expect from AVHL. You can find out what standard your new home should meet from the download section at the bottom of this page.
Both the new tenant and a representative of AVHL are required to sign the tenancy agreement, and in doing so both parties agree to keep to the conditions set out in the document.
More information can be found in the tenancy agreement and introductory tenancy agreement in the downloads section at the bottom of this page.
AVHL manages your home, but it is owned by Leeds City Council
This means that, by law, you are a 'council tenant'. Your tenancy agreement has exactly the same rights and responsibilities as other Leeds council tenants. The tenancy agreements here are the standard agreements that the City Council has with its tenants. But for AVHL tenants the responsibilities and rights of the City Council have passed to Aire Valley Homes Leeds.
There are two types of tenancy agreement. If you have been a tenant for at least 12 months you are a secure council tenant. If you have been a tenant for less than 12 months, you will probably be an introductory tenant. Introductory tenants have fewer rights - but as long as there have been no problems during the first 12 months of your tenancy, you automatically become a secure tenant. If you are not sure which agreement you have, contact us.
More information can be found in the tenancy agreement and introductory tenancy agreement in the downloads section at the bottom of this page.
Tenancy Visits
New tenancy visits (NTV) take place within 28 days of your tenancy starting. Your Housing Support Officer arranges these appointments with you. New tenancy visits are to make sure you have settled into your new home and there are no problems with outstanding repairs, claiming housing benefit, with paying rent, checking that decoration grants have been used and to make sure the tenancy is a successful one.
Annual Tenancy Visits (Tenancy Audit Visits) this is a chance to speak and see a tenant we might not have had contact from for months or years. It helps us to verify that the tenants are who we let the property to originally, and explores other general issues like ASB, garden condition, repairs etc.
Leaving the property and ending your tenancy - Termination of tenancy
You must tell your local Housing Office in writing at least four weeks before you want to leave the property. This four-week “notice” time must end on a Monday and you must return your keys to the Housing Office before 12 o’clock midday on that final Monday. You may hand your keys in before the “notice” expires but you may be charged rent for the whole period. You must visit your Housing Office to complete a termination of tenancy form.
Third Party Terminations
These are usually where the tenant is deceased or are granted power of attourney. This is used by a trustee or trusted third party of a tenant to terminate the tenancy. Any arrears on the account may be written off if the ALMO receive written confirmation that no estate exists. Customers are advised that although there is still a four week notice period required, that it is encouraged to clear the property and return keys as soon as this is possible. The ALMO will consider each case in its own merit.
Joint tenancy wanting to give up 'one part'
If either customer wants to terminate then the whole tenancy must end. Only the tenant wanting to terminate can give notice. The remaining person is required to complete a new housing application and also provide a request in writing to the local housing office stating that they want to remain in the property. There is no automatic right to remain in the property, each case will be assessed individually.
Additions to a tenancy
Customers requesting an addition have to put this in writing to their housing office. Additions will only be made for partners and evidence must be provided to show the partner has been residing at the property for a minimum of 12 months, along with a five year Housing History of the partner (previous addresses, rent references, etc.). The sole tenancy will be brought to an end with the sole tenant completing a Notice to Terminate and the new joint Tenancy can then be created with both parties completing a new Tenancy Agreement. Additions cannot be made for children onto a parents tenancy.
Tenancy terminations on a Bank Holiday weekend
Where the notice period expires on a bank holiday weekend then the keys will either be accepted on the Friday prior to the bank holiday, or by midday on the following Tuesday.
Succession of a Tenancy
You need to have lived in the property as your main home for 12 months, and have evidence of this (i.e. Council Tax bills, bank statements). A succession is only on the death of an existing tenant to a partner or a family member. Joint tenants partners not required to have 12 months qualification – but other family relations 12 months+ is required. A succession can only happen once. Family members that succession applies to are the person living with you as:
- Husband or wife including same sex couples
- Parent
- Child
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
- Brother
- Sister
- Uncle
- Aunt
- Nephew or Niece
Where a succession has not previously occurred to a tenancy, and the you want to remain in the property then an appointment would need to be made with your Housing Support Officer. You will need to provide all relevant documents and original death certificate. Arrangements will be made at this appointment to amend the tenancy details, and this will be a continuation of the current tenancy. Customers wishing to terminate the tenancy follow the death of a partner would need to complete a tenancy termination in the usual manner. Rights to succession do not apply for garage accounts
More information can be found in the tenancy agreement and introductory tenancy agreement in the downloads section at the bottom of this page.
