About the consultation

We’re inviting views on our draft Tenancy Strategy, which sets out the matters that registered providers of social housing operating in the area (i.e. housing associations) should have regard to when formulating their tenancy policies for their own housing stock.  The Strategy relates to:

  1. The types of tenancies they grant
  2. The circumstances in which they will grant a particular type of tenancy
  3. Where they grant tenancies for a specified term, the lengths of the terms granted
  4. The circumstances in which they will or will not grant a further tenancy where an existing tenancy is ending. 

Types of tenancies

Introductory and starter tenancies are a type of trial tenancy that last up to 12-months, which can be extended up to 18-months. During the trial period, the tenant has fewer rights than a lifetime or fixed term tenant. After successful completion of the trial period, the tenant becomes a lifetime tenant or fixed term tenant, depending on the landlord’s tenancy policy.

Lifetime tenancies are secure or assured periodic tenancies where, with some limited exceptions, if tenants do not breach the conditions of their tenancy agreement, their tenancy will last as long as the tenant wants it.

Fixed term tenancies are secure tenancies with a statutory minimum term of two years. At the end of the fixed term, the registered provider may decide to offer the tenant another fixed term tenancy; offer a lifetime tenancy; or not renew the tenancy.

What does the draft Tenancy Strategy say?

The draft Tenancy Strategy explains that lifetime tenancies are Dartford Borough Council’s preferred tenancy type and encourage a lifetime tenancy to be preceded by an introductory or starter tenancy.

Although the Council as a registered provider no longer grants fixed term tenancies, it recognises that some registered providers may still wish to offer them. Where registered providers do use fixed term tenancies, the Tenancy Strategy sets out the expectations the Council has on their use.

To read the draft Tenancy Strategy, please see the consultation documents section.

If you have any comments on the draft Tenancy Strategy, we’d like to hear from you. Please see the section on how to give your views to tell us what you think.