Below are some of the main points from your tenancy agreement.
You will receive a full and detailed explanation of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as well as Wigan Council’s responsibilities as your landlord, when you sign for your property.
Your tenancy
Your tenancy agreement is a written agreement between you and your landlord, Wigan Council, setting your rights and responsibilities. Along with our responsibilities as your landlord, it includes:
- Start date and details of who is signing for the tenancy
- Rent amount and when its due
- Any additional charges
- The type of tenancy, i.e. introductory or secure
- A list of responsibilities, e.g. keeping your home and garden tidy, reporting repairs, paying your rent
Introductory tenancies
If you are joining Wigan Council as a new tenant, you will normally start with an introductory tenancy for the first 12 months.
During this period, we will assess how the tenancy is being conducted. If we are not satisfied, the introductory tenancy can be extended by up to a further 6 months. Introductory tenancies can also be ended more easily if tenancy conditions are broken. If we have any concerns, we will notify you and explain what action may be taken.
If there are no issues during the introductory period, your tenancy will automatically become a secure tenancy after 12 months. You will not need to sign a new tenancy agreement.
Secure tenancies
As a secure tenant, you can normally live in your home for the rest of your life, provided you keep to the conditions of your tenancy agreement.
Secure tenants have additional rights, including the ability to mutually exchange your home with another council tenant or a tenant of a registered social landlord. More information is available on Mutual exchange – swapping your home.
After three years as a secure tenant, you may also be eligible to apply to purchase your council home, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.
New tenancy visit
If you are a new tenant of Wigan Council or have transferred properties, a new tenancy visit will normally be undertaken within the first few weeks of you signing for your property. The purpose of the visit is to make sure you are settling in and to address any concerns you may have.
Tenancy fraud
If a council tenant is found to have committed housing or tenancy fraud, Wigan Council may take legal action to recover possession of the property. Your housing officer will carry out periodic tenancy audits to help identify potential fraud.
Where tenancy fraud is proven, this may affect your future right to council housing. In cases involving illegal subletting, criminal proceedings may also be taken.
If you suspect tenancy fraud and would like to report it, please complete our online enquiry form.
Abandoned properties
We recognise that tenants may be away from their home for a period of time for a variety of reasons. However, your tenancy agreement requires you to notify us in writing if you intend to be away from your property for 28 days or more.
If you plan to be away for more than 28 days, please let us know by completing our online enquiry form.
Where we believe that a property may have been abandoned, we will begin an abandoned property investigation in line with our procedures.
If you wish to report a suspected abandoned property, please report a council owned housing/tenancy issue.
Taking care of your property and gardens
All tenants are made aware at the start of their tenancy of the importance of taking care of their home and any associated gardens, along with their responsibilities under the tenancy agreement.
Tenants must ensure their property is kept clean and in a reasonable condition, and that any repairs are reported promptly. We routinely inspect gardens during estate visits and when visiting your home. If a property or garden is found to be in an unacceptable condition, you will be asked to bring it back to a reasonable standard.
If you wish to report an untidy garden or council property, please report a council owned housing/tenancy issue.
Pets
Whilst we understand pets are important to many people unfortunately not all our properties are suitable to house them, when available properties are advertised, it will state if pets are not allowed. Generally, if the property is over two storeys high, we will not allow pets. We encourage anyone who is considering applying for a Wigan council property to check the advert prior to bidding. It states in your tenancy agreement that you must advise Wigan council of any animals you are intending to keep at the property this includes assistance dogs. Pets are not allowed in any communal areas and any fouling should be cleared up promptly and must not cause any nuisance or annoyance to neighbours. Pets and animals are discussed in more detail at the sign-up process if you are unsure, please speak with your neighbourhood tenant officer.
If you wish to report an issue regarding pets or animals, please report a council owned housing/tenancy issue.
Alterations and improvements
If you are a secure tenant, you may make alterations or improvements to your home, but you must obtain permission from Wigan Council before any work starts.
You will need to complete an application form setting out the work you wish to carry out. If alterations are made without approval, or if the work is found to be unsuitable, unsafe, or in breach of regulations, you will be required to put this right. Failure to do so may result in legal action.
Access to Your Home
As your landlord, we respect your right to privacy. However, there are times when Wigan Council needs access to your home to carry out repairs, inspect the condition of the property, and complete statutory safety checks such as the annual gas service and periodic electrical testing.
In line with your tenancy agreement, we will normally give at least 24 hours’ notice before visiting, unless access is required in an emergency. If access is unreasonably refused, Wigan Council may apply for an access injunction to allow staff or contractors to carry out their duties and ensure your home is safe.
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