One of the first things written on your tenancy agreement is what type of tenancy it is.
Secure tenancies
You'll only have a secure tenancy if you've been in your home a long time. Most likely, your home was owned by the council before it was transferred to us. If you have a secure tenancy then you can stay in your home as long as you want. Unless you break the terms of your tenancy agreement.
This is the only type of tenancy which might give you the Preserved Right to Buy.
Assured tenancies
An assured tenancy doesn't have an end date. With this type of tenancy you can stay in your home as long as you meet your responsibilities as a tenant.
Assured shorthold tenancies
We offer different types of assured shorthold tenancies, depending on the service and the home you move into.
Some tenancies run for a set period and link to specific support arrangements. Others continue on a rolling basis with no fixed end date.
We will explain the type of tenancy you are being offered at the start. We will also talk you through what it means for your time in the property and any next steps you may need to take.
Your tenancy will continue or end in line with your agreement and your personal circumstances. If anything changes, we will work with you to plan what happens next.
Assured periodic tenancies (APTs)
We offer assured periodic tenancies in our private rent homes. These tenancies do not have a fixed end date. You can stay in your home for as long as you meet the terms and responsibilities in your tenancy agreement.
This follows the same approach we take with all assured tenancies. They give you longer term security without a set end date.
You may have had an assured shorthold tenancy before. Following the Renters’ Rights Act, that came into effect on 1 May 2026, your tenancy would have changed to an assured periodic tenancy. Your tenancy now continues on a rolling basis rather than for a fixed term. Your rights and responsibilities as a tenant stay the same.
If you would like help understanding what this means for you, please contact us.
Fixed-term tenancies
In our supported housing, we usually offer fixed term tenancies. These are linked to a support service that has been arranged to help you.
Your tenancy will normally last for up to two years. This matches the length of the support you receive. We will explain from the start that your home is for a fixed period of time.
During your tenancy, you will work with your support worker to agree a support plan. This plan will focus on your goals and help you prepare for your next move. It includes getting ready to move on when your tenancy comes to an end.
When your support period ends, or if the funding for the service finishes, you will need to move out of the property. We will talk to you about this in advance and support you to plan your next steps.
This approach helps make sure supported housing is available for people who need it. It also helps you move on at the right time, when you are ready.
Starter/probationary tenancies
If you're a new tenant, you may be given a 12-month starter/probationary tenancy. Once the probationary period ends, we will offer you an assured tenancy if you have met the terms of your agreement.
Student and retirement living tenancies
If you’re a student, you may have a student non-assured tenancy agreement. This tenancy has a fixed term and can’t be extended.
If you're living in one of our retirement living homes, you'll have an assured tenancy. This type of tenancy doesn’t have an end date, which means you can stay in your home for as long as you meet your responsibilities as a tenant.
Licence to occupy
A licence to occupy allows you to live in a property for a set period of time. It does not give you the same rights as a tenancy.
It gives you permission to stay in the property for a specific purpose or while you receive a service. It is usually used in supported or temporary accommodation, where your housing is linked to support.
A licence to occupy is usually:
time limited
linked to a support or service agreement
able to be ended without going to court
We’ll explain the terms of your licence at the start. This will include how long it’s expected to last and what will happen when your support ends.
If your stay is coming to an end, we’ll talk to you in advance and support you to plan your next steps. Where this is suitable, we will help you prepare for your next housing move.
For further information, please see our tenancy policy.