Social Housing Tenants
You have the right to live peacefully in your home without interruption or interference, provided it is your principal place of residence. This is called security of tenure.
Unless your tenancy is for a fixed term – which will be stated clearly in your agreement – we can only end your tenancy with a Court order, for reasons which are clearly set out in your tenancy agreement. These include things like persistently failing to pay your rent or engaging in serious anti-social behaviour.
We may need access to your home to inspect or maintain it or check on your safety. In this case you have the right to receive reasonable notice, normally 24 hours, and we will aim to arrange a convenient appointment.
Your home must meet the Decent Homes Standard, a Government set minimum standard relating to the state of repair and type of facilities and services in all social housing.
The Homes Act 2018 also says that your home must be fit for human habitation, meaning it is safe, healthy and free from things that could cause serious harm.
To ensure we meet these standards, our tenancy agreement sets out our responsibilities for repairing and maintaining the structure of your home and the facilities and services which we have installed such as your bathroom and kitchen units and heating, sanitation and electrical systems.
We must consult you – and give you the opportunity to comment – where we are proposing to make significant changes to the way in which we manage or maintain your home, or if we are proposing to transfer your home to another landlord. We must consider any comments you make in coming to a final decision.
We must provide you with information on some of our important policies and procedures, including on complaints and other key housing services. You can find out more on our Policies page.
This is the right for someone to take over your tenancy if you die, and is generally restricted to a joint tenant, your partner (if they live with you) or a member of your family who has occupied your home as their only or principal home for 12 months.
This is the right to swap your home with another social housing tenant, with our (and the other landlord’s) permission. We will normally give permission and can only refuse this for specific reasons set out in the law, such as where we have started proceedings to end your tenancy, or your home is significantly larger than required.
The right to make improvements to your home, with our permission. We will normally give this, although may impose conditions, such as getting relevant consents from the council or using an accredited contractor.
With our permission you can sub-let part of your home or take in a lodger. We will not refuse consent without a good reason. However, you cannot sub-let the whole of your home and must use it as your principal place of residence.
Some tenants have the right to acquire their home, in some limited cases with a discount – for example if your tenancy was transferred to us from a local authority. The rules can be complicated, and so if you are interested in this option check your tenancy agreement and contact us.
You can read more about these rights in our Privacy Notice under the section titled ‘Your Rights’.
Your right to occupy
You have the right to live peacefully in your home without interruption or interference, provided it is your principal place of residence. This is called security of tenure.
Unless your tenancy is for a fixed term – which will be stated clearly in your agreement – we can only end your tenancy with a Court order, for reasons which are clearly set out in your tenancy agreement. These include things like persistently failing to pay your rent or engaging in serious anti-social behaviour.
We may need access to your home to inspect or maintain it or check on your safety. In this case you have the right to receive reasonable notice, normally 24 hours, and we will aim to arrange a convenient appointment.
Your right to live in a home that meets Government standards
Your home must meet the Decent Homes Standard, a Government set minimum standard relating to the state of repair and type of facilities and services in all social housing.
The Homes Act 2018 also says that your home must be fit for human habitation, meaning it is safe, healthy and free from things that could cause serious harm.
To ensure we meet these standards, our tenancy agreement sets out our responsibilities for repairing and maintaining the structure of your home and the facilities and services which we have installed such as your bathroom and kitchen units and heating, sanitation and electrical systems.
Your right to be consulted
We must consult you – and give you the opportunity to comment – where we are proposing to make significant changes to the way in which we manage or maintain your home, or if we are proposing to transfer your home to another landlord. We must consider any comments you make in coming to a final decision.
Your right to receive information
We must provide you with information on some of our important policies and procedures, including on complaints and other key housing services. You can find out more on our Policies page.
Your right to succession
This is the right for someone to take over your tenancy if you die, and is generally restricted to a joint tenant, your partner (if they live with you) or a member of your family who has occupied your home as their only or principal home for 12 months.
Your right to exchange your home
This is the right to swap your home with another social housing tenant, with our (and the other landlord’s) permission. We will normally give permission and can only refuse this for specific reasons set out in the law, such as where we have started proceedings to end your tenancy, or your home is significantly larger than required.
You right to improve
The right to make improvements to your home, with our permission. We will normally give this, although may impose conditions, such as getting relevant consents from the council or using an accredited contractor.
Your right to sub-let part of your home or take in a lodger
With our permission you can sub-let part of your home or take in a lodger. We will not refuse consent without a good reason. However, you cannot sub-let the whole of your home and must use it as your principal place of residence.
Your right to acquire or buy your home
Some tenants have the right to acquire their home, in some limited cases with a discount – for example if your tenancy was transferred to us from a local authority. The rules can be complicated, and so if you are interested in this option check your tenancy agreement and contact us.
Your right to care in handling personal information
You can read more about these rights in our Privacy Notice under the section titled ‘Your Rights’.
Shared Ownership
Supported Housing Licenses
Need help?
What is a Supported Housing License?
Some of our customers live in temporary accommodation with shared facilities and receive additional support. If this applies to you, you will have a license agreement.
This is not the same as a tenancy agreement and does not give you a permanent home or long‑term security of tenure.
Your Rights
Even though a license is different from a tenancy, you still have important rights, including:
- A home that meets the Decent Homes Standard
- Information about certain policies
- Repairs and maintenance: We must keep your property and shared facilities in a good state of repair.
When a License Can End
We may end a license and ask you to leave, often at relatively short notice, for reasons such as:
- Health and safety risks
- Non‑payment of the license fee
- If you no longer need this type of accommodation or support services
Check Your Own Agreement
Each license agreement can be different.
For details about your specific rights and responsibilities, always refer to your own license.
If you’re unsure about anything, your support worker can help explain what applies to you.
Reasonable adjustments
Under the Equality Act 2010, Riverside has a duty to make reasonable adjustments when a customer with a disability requests them.
This means we must:
- Consider any disabilities you tell us about that affect how you live in your home or use our services.
- Identify any additional needs you have.
- Take reasonable steps to ensure you are not placed at a significant disadvantage.
A common example is home adaptations, where Riverside (sometimes with financial support from the local authority) may:
- Make changes to your home.
- Provide additional fittings or equipment.
- Help you or someone in your household access basic facilities more easily.
For major adaptations, a recommendation is always required from a qualified occupational therapist (OT).
An OT is a professional trained to assess the needs of people with:
- Disabilities
- Mobility impairments
- Long‑term health conditions
If you feel your home needs to be adapted, you can read more through the link below.
What are reasonable adjustments?
Under the Equality Act 2010, Riverside has a duty to make reasonable adjustments when a customer with a disability requests them.
This means we must:
- Consider any disabilities you tell us about that affect how you live in your home or use our services.
- Identify any additional needs you have.
- Take reasonable steps to ensure you are not placed at a significant disadvantage.
Examples of reasonable adjustments
A common example is home adaptations, where Riverside (sometimes with financial support from the local authority) may:
- Make changes to your home.
- Provide additional fittings or equipment.
- Help you or someone in your household access basic facilities more easily.
Major adaptations
For major adaptations, a recommendation is always required from a qualified occupational therapist (OT).
An OT is a professional trained to assess the needs of people with:
- Disabilities
- Mobility impairments
- Long‑term health conditions
Need an adaptation?
If you feel your home needs to be adapted, you can read more through the link below.
