Social Housing — Rights for Council and Housing Association Tenants

Social landlords (councils and housing associations) have strict legal obligations to keep your home in good repair. These are stronger in some respects than the obligations on private landlords.

• ✓The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (s.11) requires landlords to maintain the structure, exterior, and services
• ✓The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires the home to be fit to live in throughout the tenancy
• ✓Social landlords must also comply with the Decent Homes Standard
• ✓Urgent repairs (heating failure, flooding, serious damp) should be addressed within 24 hours
• ✓You can report disrepair to the council's housing department, and if that fails, to the Housing Ombudsman

When a secure or assured tenant dies, a family member may be able to succeed to the tenancy:

• ✓A surviving spouse or civil partner who lived in the property has the right to succeed
• ✓Other family members who lived there for 12 months before the death may also be able to succeed — but councils have discretion
• ✓Only one succession is usually allowed per tenancy
• ✓Check your tenancy agreement and local authority's policy
• ✓If succession is refused, you must be given the opportunity to challenge the decision

• ✓Secure and assured tenants have a statutory right to request a mutual exchange — swapping homes with another social housing tenant
• ✓Your landlord must agree unless there is a specific legal reason to refuse
• ✓You must get written consent before moving — moving without consent can end your tenancy
• ✓You can find exchange partners through Homeswapper, Mutual Exchange Online, or your local council
• ✓If you need a larger or smaller home, you can apply to transfer — but transfers are discretionary and depend on housing need and availability