Date: 11 May 2026
Dear resident,
Notice of Variation of Tenancy Agreement
Housing Act 1985, Section 103
We are writing to formally notify you that we are changing the terms and conditions of your Tenancy Agreement. This Notice is issued under Section 103 of the Housing Act 1985.
A statutory consultation took place from 2 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, during which time all tenants received a letter inviting them to provide feedback on the proposed changes. The revised Tenancy Agreement was formally approved by Cabinet on 17 March 2026.
You will have received a letter identical to this recently. Please disregard this, as due to a delay in printing and posting, the stated notice period ahead of introducing the updated terms of your Tenancy Agreement were incorrect. We apologise for any confusion this may have caused.
The revised date on which your tenancy conditions will move automatically onto the new terms of tenancy is Monday 22 June 2026, unless you choose to end your tenancy beforehand.
Summary of all changes to your Tenancy Agreement
Below is a detailed summary of the changes made to our Tenancy Agreement.
These descriptions are designed to help you understand what each change means in practice and how they may affect you day to day.
Section 1 - General tenancy terms (your contract with the council)
What has changed:
- The information about how the council collects and uses your personal data has been rewritten to be clearer and easier to follow
- Wording has been strengthened around identity checks and demonstrating your 'right to rent'
- Clearer expectations on when you must seek permission for someone to move in.
What this means for you:
- You will have a better understanding of why the council holds certain information and who it may be shared with (for example, repairs contractors or statutory agencies)
- If someone plans to stay with you long term (more than 4 weeks), you must tell us first to ensure your household information is accurate and your tenancy isn't put at risk
- These changes do not increase monitoring - they simply clarify the rules.
Section 2 - Secure tenants (long‑term tenancy rights)
What has changed:
- More detail on Demotion Orders, which reduce security of tenure if serious antisocial behaviour occurs
- A clearer explanation of how the Right to Buy may be restricted in certain situations
- More transparent rules around permissions for improvements, assignments, and taking in lodgers.
What this means for you:
- You will have clearer reasons why the council might take legal action and what steps you must take to avoid this
- If you want to carry out improvements (for example, kitchens, bathrooms, structural changes) you will know exactly what permissions you need and why
- Lodgers remain allowed with permission, but the agreement now spells out your responsibilities if you choose to take one in.
Section 3 - Introductory tenants (your first 12 months)
This section only applies to introductory tenants. An introductory tenancy applies to residents in the following circumstances:
- Within the first 12 months of a new tenancy
- Where a tenant has not transferred from another council property or another social housing provider.
What has changed:
- Clearer information on which rights do not apply during the introductory period
- More detail on when the council can extend an introductory tenancy.
What this means for those who are introductory tenants:
- If you are new to your tenancy, this section makes it easier to understand the 'trial period' and what can delay your becoming a secure tenant
- The rules help you avoid unintentional breaches that could affect your long‑term tenancy.
Section 4 - Rights for secure and introductory tenants
What has changed:
- Updated rules on succession, explaining who can take over the tenancy if the tenant dies
- Clearer descriptions of the types of information the council must provide if you request it.
What this means for you:
- You and your family will have greater certainty about who may legally take over the tenancy in difficult circumstances
- You will know exactly what information you are entitled to receive.
Section 5 - Security of tenure (keeping your home)
What has changed:
- More detail on circumstances where the council may need to take possession (for example, safety concerns, unlawful activity)
- A clearer explanation of abandonment and the requirement to use your home as your main residence.
What this means for you:
- These changes make it more transparent when your tenancy could be at risk - helping you avoid unintentional breaches
- It also explains situations where the council might need access or might need you to move temporarily for major works.
Section 6 - Our responsibilities (What the council must do)
What has changed:
- More detailed explanations of repairs responsibilities
- Clearer information on how to complain or escalate concerns.
What this means for you:
- You will know exactly which repairs the council is responsible for, which repairs you must report promptly, and when you might be charged for repairs caused by damage
- You will have a clearer route to raise concerns if you feel something hasn't been handled correctly.
Section 7 - Rent and other payments
What has changed:
- Better clarity on rent due dates, "non‑collecting weeks", and benefit responsibilities
- Clearer rules about joint tenants shared responsibility for arrears.
What this means for you:
- You will understand how benefit changes affect your tenancy and what to do if your circumstances change
- Joint tenants will have clearer information about their full shared responsibility for rent.
Section 8 - Repairs and maintenance
What has changed:
- Stronger rules on access for gas, electrical and fire‑safety checks
- More examples of when the Council may charge tenants for repairs
- Clearer information about safety responsibilities inside your home.
What this means for you:
- You must allow vital safety checks — these changes explain why this is essential for the safety of yourself and your neighbours
- The clearer list of tenant responsibilities helps avoid disputes or unexpected charges
- Tampering with fire‑safety equipment is now explicitly prohibited for everyone's protection.
Section 9 - Living in your home
What has changed:
- More detailed guidance on cleanliness, rubbish disposal, garden upkeep, improvements, trees, hedges, CCTV, and alterations.
What this means for you:
- You'll have a fuller understanding of how to maintain your home and avoid charges
- It prevents misunderstandings around what needs permission and what doesn't (for example CCTV, sheds, large trees)
- Clearer rules help prevent neighbour disputes.
Section 10 - Furniture leasing scheme
What has changed for tenants who have furniture included as part of their tenancy:
- Updated wording to reflect the new furniture supplier arrangements and current operational practices.
What this means for you:
- Expectations around caring for any furniture provided and returning it at the end of your tenancy are clearer
- You will know when charges may apply for damage or missing items.
Section 11 - Living in your community (antisocial behaviour)
What has changed:
- Expanded list of behaviours considered antisocial
- Clearer explanation of enforcement actions (for example, injunctions, tenancy demotion, closure orders).
What this means for you:
- You will know exactly what sorts of behaviour may put your tenancy at risk
- You will also know what support is available if you are experiencing antisocial behaviour.
Section 12 - Ending your tenancy
What has changed:
- Clearer rules on giving notice, returning keys, condition of the property, and joint-tenant responsibilities.
What this means for you:
- You will understand precisely what is expected when you move out - helping avoid end-of-tenancy charges
- Joint tenants will know how one tenant ending the tenancy affects the other.
Section 13 to 15 (Tenancy fraud, notices and definitions)
What has changed:
- New and expanded definitions to make the agreement easier to understand
- Clear guidance on tenancy fraud and consequences
- Updated address for you to service notices on the council.
What this means for you:
- The agreement is now more transparent, with fewer grey areas and clearer accountability for all tenants.
Changes made after the consultation period
These changes to the new tenancy agreement have been added or amended based on tenant feedback and other feedback received during the consultation period.
XL Bully dogs
- tenants with legally exempt XL Bully dogs can keep them
- this provides reassurance that responsible owners following the law are supported
Mobility scooters and battery-powered vehicles
- you must now get permission before purchasing or storing a mobility scooter or similar device
- this ensures the council can check there is safe charging and storage space (especially in flats and sheltered schemes)
Data protection
- wording simplified so tenants can more easily understand how their personal information is used and why
Missed repair appointments
- clarified when charges may apply and what steps (warnings/escalation) will be taken before any charge is made
Furniture leasing scheme
- updated to reflect new provider arrangements and make tenant responsibilities clearer
How to access the full updated tenancy agreement
Your updated Tenancy Agreement is not enclosed with this letter. Read it here.
A Frequently Asked Questions section will also be available.
Effective date of the new agreement
Your revised Tenancy Agreement will come into effect on Monday 22 June 2026.
Support and further information
If you need help or require this information in alternative format, please contact:
Housing Services
Gateshead Council
Civic Centre,
Regent Street,
Gateshead,
NE8 1HH
[email protected]
0191 433 5353
To translate this letter, go to 'Listen and translate' at the top of the page.
Yours sincerely
Samantha Allcott
Strategic Director
Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities
Gateshead Council
