When you signed your tenancy agreement, you entered into a legal contract with us. You have responsibilities as a tenant, one of which is to pay the rent regularly and on time. As with any contract, if you do not pay, this can lead to court action, which may ultimately result in you losing your home.
Full details of your rights are set out in your tenancy agreement and our leaflets about it. Your tenancy gives you the right to stay in your home for as long as you want, as long as you do not break the terms of the tenancy agreement. If you break the terms of your tenancy agreement, we can ask the sheriff court for permission to evict you.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 introduced a number of important changes to your tenancy rights, which have applied since 30 September 2002. From this date, the new Scottish secure tenancy (SST) replaced the old secure and assured tenancies to provide a single tenancy for both local authority and housing association tenants, with improved rights.
From 30 September 2002, all tenants of local authorities, housing associations (including tenants who are members of fully mutual co-operative housing associations), and water and sewerage authorities, became Scottish secure tenants. There are some exceptions to this, for example, tied houses (i.e. a house you have to live in because of your job).
A sample copy of the West Dunbartonshire Council Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement is available below;
Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement (889KB pdf)
Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement (Polish Version) (253KB pdf)
More information is available on the Scottish Government www.scotland.gov.uk.
If you find at any time, that you can't make your rent payments contact the local housing office. If you don't contact us, we can't help you. If you start to have debt problems, it is important that you get help as quickly as possible. Please don't ignore the problem as we can give you practical advice in a sympathetic and confidential way so that you start doing something about it.
Whether you are working or not, you may still be entitled to Housing Benefit to help towards payment of your rent. Application forms and advice are available from your Local Housing Office.
There are five weeks in the year that you don't have to pay rent. These 'rent free weeks' are usually:
- the first week in April
- two weeks in July; and
- two weeks over Christmas and New Year
We will advertise the actual dates in the local press and in notices in your local housing office. If you rent is up to date, you don't need to pay anything in the rent-free weeks. However, if you are behind with your rent you must continue to pay in these weeks to reduce the amount you owe. The rent is charged and payable 4-weekly in advance but should you wish to make alternative payment arrangements please contact your Housing Officer or see the ways to pay your rent web page.
We insure our buildings against risks such as fire. We do not insure tenants property and belongings such as furniture. So you should take out contents insurance against burglary or damage by fire or flood.
We offer all our tenants Home Contents Insurance (105KB .pdf document) at competitive prices, you can even pay by Standing Order (23KB .pdf document). If you would like to apply, please contact us direct.
If you wish to find out more about your rights or responsibilities as a tenant you can look at the Tenants Handbook or alternatively contact us direct.
