Right to consultation
We guarantee to consult you on any change that affects your tenancy.
Right to repair
You can make sure that we carry out certain small, urgent repairs that
may affect your health, safety or security, quickly and easily. Repairs
included in this scheme are called ‘qualifying repairs’. We will tell you
which repairs come under this scheme and how long it should take to
carry them out.
Right to take over the tenancy
If you die while you are still our customer, your husband, wife or
partner (including same sex) who is living in the property at the time
has the right to take over your tenancy. If you do not have a husband,
wife or partner, or they do not want to take over your tenancy, a
member of your family may take it over if they have lived with you for
12 months or more before your death. More information is included
later in this section under ‘taking over the tenancy’ (see also ‘Extra
rights of transferring tenants’).
Complaints
All Aspire Housing customers are encouraged to let us know when
things are not right. Click here to go to our Complaints Procedure.
Right to take lodgers or sub-let part of your home
Let us know if you want to do this so we can advise you on the type of
agreements you can have with a lodger, and on how your
circumstances will be affected. (More information and advice is
included later under lodgers and sub-letting.)
Right to a mutual exchange
You can swap homes with another tenant, either locally or nationally.
This is known as a ‘mutual exchange’ and is subject to meeting various
conditions.
Right to improve the property
You can make any alterations or improvements that do not harm the
property’s value. You are required to request any alteration in
writing and not commence any alterations until we have
confirmed that you can do so.
Right to occupy
We will not interrupt or interfere with your right to live in your home
peacefully unless we need access to inspect the condition of the
property or to carry out repairs or other work to the property, or to
properties next to it. This is known as the ‘right to occupy’. We must
give you reasonable notice that we need access unless it is an
emergency or a Court has made a legal order.
Right to compensation
If you are ending your tenancy, you can claim compensation for certain
improvements you have made to your home (as long as you had our
written permission before carrying out the work). However, only
improvements that were started on or after the 1st April 1994 are
eligible. We will tell you which improvements qualify for compensation
and how to go about making a claim, as not all improvements qualify
under this scheme.
Right to security of tenure
We can only make you leave your home by way of a Court Order and
after we have given you formal notice of our intention to apply for
possession and the reasons why. (More information is included under
‘When we want to end your tenancy’.)
Transferring tenants
Customers who were secure tenants of Newcastle Borough Council at
the date of transfer (31st January 2000) are known as transferring
tenants and have some additional rights to assured tenants.
The preserved right to buy
You are able to buy your home from us under similar rules to those that
applied to you as a council tenant. We give discounts for the number of
years you have been a tenant, up to 60% (70% for a flat), as long as
this discount is no more than £26,000. Some properties, such as
sheltered housing, are not included in the preserved right to buy.
Transferring tenants can choose to use their right to buy or the right to
acquire but they cannot combine the two. If you would
like to buy your home, you should get independent advice on which
scheme is best for you. (Figures were correct at 31.09.08)
The right to acquire your home
If you began your tenancy after 31st January 2000, you have the right
to ‘acquire’ your home. It is also available to tenants who transfer from
other housing associations or councils. Depending on a number of
things, you may be entitled to a discount of £9000 from the open
market value of your home. (Figures were correct at 31.09.08)
Right to succession
If you succeeded to (took over) your tenancy with the Council before
the transfer you will have an extra right to succession. This means you
will be able to pass the tenancy to a close relative or partner who has
been in occupation of your property for twelve months prior to your
death.(More information is included in the section under ‘Taking
over the tenancy’).
Your right to see information
Information you provide to us on various forms is held and protected
under the Data Protection Act 1988.
The information we hold is kept confidential. Sensitive information,
such as your ethnic origin or medical details, will be used only for
purposes for which you have given your explicit consent, or in an
emergency.
Other information will be used to help us to provide services for your
benefit. For example, we may provide details of your rent account to a
local authority housing benefit department if you have made a claim.
When you contact us we will ask you about your tenancy or lease so
we can be sure we are talking to the tenant or leaseholder.
You are entitled to see any information we have about you, to check
it is accurate and if necessary, correct it.
