Your Tenancy Agreement

All tenants sign an agreement. This means that you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions contained in that agreement.

If you are unsure of the content of these or no longer have your copy you can download an up to date copy below. It is important that you understand the terms and conditions of the agreement. They help you understand what you can and cannot do in and around your home. Any queries about your tenancy agreement will be dealt with by your Housing Officer.

Your Housing Officer

Your Housing Officer is responsible for dealing with all enquiries relating to your tenancy.

These include:

• Your payments for rent
• Arrears queries and agreements
• Anti-social behaviour or nuisance problems
• Requests for improvements to your home
• Requests to take in lodgers and additional pets
• Requests to carry out a business
• All other Tenancy Queries

There are five Housing Officers covering the whole District; each covering a particular area.  If you are unsure who the officer for your area is or would like their contact details, they are listed here in Housing Officer Areas. 

 

Paying by Direct Debit or Standing Order

Paying your rent by Direct Debit or Standing Order saves you making a journey to the post office or cash office and also means that you don't have to worry about paying your rent on time.

If you choose to pay by Direct Debit you must first complete a direct debit mandate which can be downloaded below or collected from us. When this is returned to us we will calculate your payments and notify you of these along with the start date. We will take the required payment out of your account on or after the 28th of every month. It can be cancelled at any time by contacting your bank.

An alternative to Direct Debit is a Standing Order, which is an instruction to your bank to pay us. It gives you more control as you can specify which day of the month you'd like the payment made, but you will have to update the standing order if the amount you pay changes. Complete and return the standing order

For any further information about paying your rent by Direct Debit or Standing Order, telephone your Housing Officer.

Introductory Tenancies

As an introductory tenant you will have some restrictions on your tenancy for the first 12 months.  For further information, view Introductory Tenancies

Gardens

You are responsible for maintaining both your front and rear gardens unless you have been advised otherwise.  This may happen if you are in sheltered accommodation or have open plan grassed areas.

You gardens should be regularly maintained and kept tidy at all times.  They must be free from litter and rubbish.  You are also responsible for keeping trees and hedges, within your garden, trimmed back and you should not remove them without first seeking our permission.  Many trees are protected via Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) so it is important to check first.  If you feel that a tree is in a dangerous condition please contact the Maintenance Department on (01283) 595809/08 or by e-mail repairs@south-derbys.gov.uk.

If there is a specific reason for you not being able to maintain your garden then contact your Housing Officer, as you may be able to receive help.

If you want to erect a shed, greenhouse or any other type of outbuilding in your garden you should obtain our written permission first.  The building must be made of suitable materials, professionally constructed with a proper base, and of an appropriate size.

Pets

Your Tenancy Agreement allows you to keep up to one dog and one cat.  You must apply to us in writing should you wish to keep any more than this.  You have a responsibility for making sure that your pets are properly controlled and do not cause a nuisance to neighbours or damage to the property.  If loud and excessive barking by a dog causes nuisance to your neighbours we will contact you to discuss the problem.

If you live in a block of flats with a shared entrance unfortunately you are not allowed to keep any pets or birds.

Car Parking

You may only park within the boundaries of your property if you have a dropped kerb and proper hard standing laid down.  If you are currently accessing your property with a vehicle without a dropped kerb you are in breach of the Highways Act.  Please try to park with consideration for pedestrians, other drivers and your neighbours as well as avoiding parking on grass verges and pavements.

You must not repair motor vehicles on the property, or on land belonging to the council at unsocial hours, regularly or for financial gain.

If you wish to apply for a hard standing and dropped kerb please put your request in writing to your Tenant Liaison Officer.  You may also apply for a Council garage.  For more information and an Application Form, please call Housing Advice on (01283) 595953 or email housing@south-derbys.gov.uk .  To print off a PDF version of the application form click here.

Home Improvements

Secure Tenants must get our written permission before carrying out any improvements or changes to the property.  On receipt of your request we will send out a Maintenance Inspector to assess the proposed work and a decision will be made and confirmed to you in writing.  It will also be evident if the proposed work requires Building Control or Planning Permission.  If so, this must be sought by you before permission is granted.

If successful and you are given permission, we expect the work to be done to a high standard using proper materials.  We would expect large projects at least to be carried out by qualified tradesmen.

You should then notify us when the work is complete so that we can assess whether the works have been completed to our satisfaction.  We will then confirm this in writing.

Introductory Tenants may not alter or add anything to the property.

Ending your Tenancy

If you want to bring your tenancy to an end, you must:

• Give us four weeks notice in writing with the last day being a Monday
• Return all keys by 12:00 noon on the tenancy expiry date
• Remove all your furniture and belongings and make sure that the property is left in a good condition.  If we have to carry out any works to the property (other than for wear and tear), or dispose of belongings and rubbish, we will recharge you for the cost of this work.

Please send your termination notice to us at the address below or (01283) 595953

Contact Details

South Derbyshire District Council
Housing Section
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Tel: contact your Housing Officer
Fax: 01283 595852
Minicom: 01283 595849
Online: online enquiry form
Email: housing@south-derbys.gov.uk

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