Your rights as a tenant

It's important to know your rights as a social housing resident. These rights are in place to ensure that your home is in a liveable, safe and comfortable condition.

We've created this webpage to help you to understand your rights and to explain the ways that we (Incommunities) as your landlord, and other organisations, can help you to claim these rights.

This includes making a complaint or approaching the Housing Ombudsman if you think we’ve fallen short of expectations.

Here’s what you need to know:

 

 

 

We're committed to keeping your home in good repair and making sure that our neighbourhoods are looked after and are good places to live, work and visit. 

You should expect your home to be free of health and safety hazards, be in a good state of repair, be reasonably modern and provide a reasonable level of measures to help to keep you warm.

Information on Decent Homes Standard

Information on repairs and maintenance

Information on how we tackle and resolve neighbourhood nuisance, antisocial behaviour (ASB) and Hate Crime

Information on home adaptations

Information on Estates Services

We must comply with all relevant health and safety legislation. This includes making sure that your home is free from serious hazards, including damp and mould, is structurally safe and has the correct fire safety measures in place.

More information on keeping safe in your home

Damp and mould information

 

More information relating to the legislation we must comply with can be found here:

• The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) - guidance for landlords and property-related professionals 
• The Housing Act 2004  
• The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2024  
• The Fitness for Human Habitation Act 2018
• The Building Safety Act
• The Building Safety Act 2022 (for customers living in buildings over seven storeys or 18 metres tall)

You have the right to have repairs carried out within a reasonable time. If your home is in need of repair, get in touch and we will arrange for the necessary work to be done.

Information on repairs and maintenance

You also have the right to receive notice of a proposed visit to carry out repairs or maintenance or to view the condition and state of repairs in your home. We will always provide you with reasonable notice before visiting your home for these purposes.

Before we attend your home to carry out a repair or check the condition of the property, you'll receive notice from us. Appointments can be confirmed in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, the use of text messages and letters.

If you are thinking about making a claim about a disrepair issue, make sure you take the right steps to resolve the issue. You can find out more information about making a disrepair claim.

You have the right to live in your home without being disturbed by your landlord or anyone acting on their behalf. This means that you have the right to have control over your home and to use it as you wish, as long as you comply with your responsibilities outlined in your tenancy agreement.

You have the right to a secure tenancy following a 12-18 month probationary assured shorthold period.

You also have the right to be given information about your tenancy agreement, your rights and responsibilities, and any changes that may affect your tenancy.

Information on your tenancy

You have the right to be consulted on things that significantly affect your tenancy, such as major repairs or improvements, changes to services, or changes to the way your home is managed.

We want to give all our customers a voice and we have a variety of ways that you can get involved to tell us what you think of our services and share your thoughts on the community where you live.​

Information on how to share your views and get involved

You have the right to make a complaint if you are unhappy with the service you receive from us. We have a complaints procedure in place to deal with any issues you may have.

Information on how to make a complaint or comment

In some cases, you may have the right to buy or acquire your home. This will depend on the type of tenancy you have and the terms of your tenancy agreement.

If you became our tenant before 28 March 2011:  you may qualify for the governments Right to Buy scheme

Get an idea of the discount that you may be eligible for under the 'Right to Buy' scheme

If you became our tenant after 28 March 2011: you only have the Right to Acquire , which has a set discount of £9,000 off the purchase price. 

Information on buying your Incommunities property

Other options if you're interested in owning a home

If you are a disabled tenant, you have the right to request reasonable adjustments to your home to make it more accessible and comfortable for you. We are committed to making these adjustments where feasible.

Information on home adaptations

Find out more about reasonable adjustments

Please note that this is a general overview of your rights as a tenant. These rights may vary depending on the specific terms of your tenancy agreement and the laws in your area.

Always refer to your tenancy agreement for the most accurate information.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.