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DWA Housing Digests (One Of A Series)

	ASSURED TENANCIES
	Your Tenancy Agreement is a Contract that you sign. It lets you live in our home under certain conditions (e.g. you must pay your rent and keep to the rules in the agreement). Since 1989 there are 2 main types of tenant - Secure Tenants and Assured Tenants. Both have what is called Security Of Tenure - your legal right to live in your home with the legal protection that only a Judge in a Court Of Law can order you to be evicted.
	Other rights are slightly different depending on which Tenancy Agreement you have. Most Tenants of a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) are Assured Tenants. Tenants of a Council are usually Secure Tenants.
	Council Tenants transferring to a Housing Association or Trust will become Assured Tenants. However as part of the transfer all their major rights will be protected and be part of their new Tenancy Agreement.
	Assured Tenants' Rights are set out in the Housing Corporation's Assured Tenants' Charter.
	Assured Tenants' Rights include:
	You have Security Of Tenure: only a judge in court can order you to be evicted You can pass on your home to your partner (or sometimes a relative) on your death You can exchange your home with another tenant You can take in lodgers You can make improvements to your home, subject to approval by the landlord You must be consulted about changes to the housing service You have a right to repair under certain circumstances   Some Assured Tenants have what is called the Right To Acquire - a less generous scheme than the Right To Buy and Discount. It is called a Preserved Right To Buy   Assured Tenants do not have the statutory Right To Manage. However, the Housing Corporation expects that a new landlord will support tenants who wish to form a Tenant Management Organisation (TMO).   Assured Tenants have a right that Council Tenants do not have. A Right not to have their tenancy agreement changed without their permission.