One Vision Housing

Are there any major differences between the assured tenancies and the assured tenancies with protected rights?

The total package of rights and guarantees we offer  you as our tenant means there is little difference in practice between them.

The only significant difference is that tenants who transfereed from Sefton council have an assured tenancy with protected rights that gives them the Right  to Buy. tenants with an assured tenancy have the Right to Acquire.

What is a joint tenancy?

If more than one adult signs a tenancy agreement it is called a joint tenancy. Joint tenants have equal rights and are equally responsible for meeting the terms of the tenancy agreement.

In the sad event of one of the joint tenancy holder's passing away, then the tenancy can be passed to onto the surviving tenant(s). If your relationship breaks down, either tenant can end the tenancy, which may result in either one or both of you having to leave the property. You may wish to get independent legal advice in these circumstances.

Can my tenancy be passed onto any one else when I pass away?

It may be possible for members of your family to have your tenancy when you pass away. The term of this process happening is 'succession'.

The following people have a legal right to succession if they are aged 18 or over and have permanently lived with you for at least 12 months at the time of your death:

• Your partner - whether or not you are married to them
• A close member of your family (child, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece or nephew)

A succession of tenancy can only take place once. If the succession is allowed, the succeeding tenant will have the same rights.

One Vision Housing's tenancy agreement ignores any previous successions to the tenancy that took place with the Council, so tenants start all over again in effect. There is a significant additional right for those tenants who succeeded their tenancies from the previous council tenant.

In some cases we may ask the person wanting to take over the tenancy to move out if the property is not suitable for their needs, for example if it is too large for a single person.

You do not have a legal right of succession if you are an assured (shorthold) tenant.

Are there any other ways of passing on my tenancy?

Your tenancy may be passed on in two other ways:

• You are exchanging with someone (unless you are an assured shorthold tenant)
• A court order has been granted following relationship break down and a court allows your partner to live in your home instead of you (this is not counted as a legal succession)

What happens to my tenancy if there is a relationship breakdown?

We understand that from time-to-time relationships break down permanently and people want to live apart. If you are in that position and you and your partner wish to leave separately, please contact your neighbourhood office to discuss your housing needs. We will offer you advice and assistance and may be able to agree to the debt being shared equally between all joint tenants.

Can I take in lodgers and sub-tenants?

You may if you wish, but please remeber it could affect your entitlement to benefits - including Housing benefit.

You must ask for permission to take in lodgers and we will ask you for their name, age and gender - information you are obliged to share with us. You should not take in lodgers if it will mean your home is overcrowded. You also cannot take in lodgers if you are an assured (shorthold) tenant.

Please remeber that you are responsible for the behaviour of all people living in or visiting your home.

How many people are allowed to live in my home?

You will find this in your tenancy agreement.

Can I sub-let my home and live somewhere else?

NO - this is not allowed. You must use your One Vision Housing home as your only or main home.

Right to information and Consultation

You have the right to be consulted by One Vision Housing regarding any proposals changing existiong housing policies or creating new ones. you also have the right to be consulted about changes to housing management or maintenance practices, as well as in relation to improvements or demolition of One Vision properties.

Right to make improvements to your property

Details will appear here soon

Running a business from home

You cannot run any business from your home without written permission from One Vision Housing. Decisions about which businesses are permitted are based on:

• Disturbance to neighbours
• Traffic problems that might be created
• Use or storage of dangerous materials

Each case will be treated on its own merit. Even if we grant permision, you must  obtain any other approval  that is needed, for example, from sefton Council.

Can I keep pets?

One Vision Housing allows you to keep pets as long as they are kept under control.

They must not be kept in a way that poses a risk to the health and safety of another person or causes a nuisance or annoyance to neighbours.

If you live in a maisonette, flat or multi-storey flat with a shared entrance you must have our written consent before you keep a pet, including a dog or cat.

What happens if I break the rules of my tenancy agreement?

If you break the rules of your tenancy agreement we will have no alternative but to take action against you.

We will work with you to try and resolve the problem, but if you do not work with us and co-operate, we will be forced to take legal action against you.