Tenancy Management Policy

This glossary defines key terms used throughout this policy:

Tenancy Agreement: A legal contract between the tenant and Gateshead Council outlining the rights and responsibilities of both parties.

Introductory Tenancy: A probationary tenancy granted to new tenants, typically lasting 12 months before converting to a secure tenancy if no issues arise.

Secure Tenancy: A long-term tenancy offering greater rights and protections, typically granted after successful completion of an introductory tenancy.

Flexible Tenancy: A fixed-term tenancy granted in specific circumstances, such as for larger or adapted properties.

Non-Secure Tenancy: A temporary tenancy arrangement, often used for emergency accommodation, decants, or service tenancies.

Succession: The legal process by which a tenancy is passed to another person following the death of the tenant.

Assignment: The transfer of a tenancy from one person to another during the lifetime of the tenant, subject to legal and policy conditions.

Decant: The temporary or permanent relocation of a tenant to another property due to repairs, regeneration, or other operational needs.

Tenancy audit: A review conducted by officers to verify occupancy, assess property condition, and identify support needs or tenancy breaches.

Tenancy fraud: Any deliberate misrepresentation or misuse of a tenancy, including subletting, abandonment, or false information.

Discretionary succession: A non-statutory grant of a new tenancy to a person who does not have a legal right to succeed but meets specific criteria.

Direct let: A housing allocation made outside the standard bidding process, often used in succession, decant, or management transfer cases.

Thrive Agenda: Gateshead Council's strategic framework focused on fairness, community support, and sustainable growth.

ASB (antisocial behaviour): Behaviour that causes nuisance, alarm, or distress to others, including noise, harassment, and criminal activity.

Demotion Order: A legal order that reduces a secure tenancy to a less secure form due to serious tenancy breaches.

Void Property: A property that is currently unoccupied and awaiting re-let