Have your say on the proposed new Tenancy Agreement

Different tenancy agreements are currently used across Somerset. We are proposing one agreement so tenants are treated consistently wherever they live. We also want the agreement to be clearer, easier to understand, up to date with legal and regulatory requirements, and clearer about the responsibilities of tenants and the landlord.

No. These are proposals and no final decision has been made. The consultation gives you an opportunity to tell us what you think. We will consider all feedback before deciding whether changes should be made and what the final tenancy agreement should say.

The proposed agreement is not intended to remove or reduce the core legal rights of existing tenants. Rights relating to repairs, security of tenure, succession, consultation and complaints will remain. 

No. If you are currently a secure tenant, the proposed changes will not make you an introductory tenant. If you are an introductory tenant, the consultation will not change the normal arrangements for your introductory tenancy to become secure when the introductory period is successfully completed. 

An introductory tenancy is normally given to a new council tenant for an initial period of 12 months. If the introductory period is completed successfully, the tenancy will normally automatically become a secure tenancy. In some circumstances the introductory period can be extended. 

Introductory tenants have fewer rights than secure tenants. For example, introductory tenants do not have the Right to Buy and cannot take in a lodger, sublet part of their home, make improvements or exchange their home with another tenant. Once the tenancy becomes secure, the tenant has the additional rights that apply to secure tenants.  If you are unsure which type of tenancy you currently have, this will be stated in your tenancy agreement.

For tenants who currently pay rent over 50 weeks of the year, with two weeks over Christmas when rent is not normally charged, we are proposing to change this to weekly rent payments throughout the year. 

This means rent would be due every Monday, including during the Christmas period. In most years there are 52 weekly rent charges, but occasionally there may be 53.

No. This change is about how your rent is charged across the year, not an additional rent increase. Instead of a higher weekly amount being charged over 50 weeks, rent would be charged at a lower weekly amount throughout the year. 

Your rent may still change each year through the normal annual rent-setting process. We will continue to write to you separately to tell you about any annual change to your rent.  

Generally, no. Under the proposal you would no longer need to ask permission before getting a pet. However, some homes may not be suitable for pets and this would be explained before a tenancy starts.  For example some extra care housing schemes and Westfield House in Bridgwater have stricter rules on pets. Tenants with pets must make sure they do not cause nuisance or annoyance. 

The proposed agreement explains more clearly when access is required for inspections, repairs, safety checks, surveys and planned work. In most cases, at least 24 hours written notice would be given. Entry without prior notice may happen in a genuine emergency or where another legal authority permits it.

The current intention is for a key decision paper to be published by February 2027. Subject to approval, tenants would then be written to with the relevant notice, with the aim of introducing the new agreement in April 2027. 

Somerset Council is your landlord. Homes in Somerset manages your home and provides housing services on behalf of the Council.

For secure periodic tenants, the letter is also a preliminary notice under section 103 of the Housing Act 1985. It tells you that Somerset Council is considering changing the terms of the tenancy and gives you an opportunity to comment before a final decision is taken. If the Council decides to proceed, secure periodic tenants will receive a formal Notice of Variation explaining the final changes and when they will take effect. 

We want all affected tenants to have the opportunity to give us their views on the proposed new tenancy agreement before any final decisions are made. 

There are different existing introductory tenancy agreements in Somerset, and this affects how we are legally able to make changes to them. 

If your introductory tenancy was originally granted under the former Somerset West and Taunton Council arrangements and is now a Somerset Council introductory tenancy, we will not change your existing tenancy agreement as a result of this consultation. However, we still want to hear your views. If you become a secure tenant and the Council subsequently proposes to change your tenancy agreement, we will consult you further before making those changes. 

Other introductory tenants have an existing tenancy agreement which allows changes to be considered following consultation. Those tenants are therefore being formally consulted on the proposed changes now. 

If you are unsure which type of introductory tenancy agreement you have, please contact Homes in Somerset and we can explain which arrangements apply to you.

The proposed agreement contains clearer and more detailed information about: 

• tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities 

• accessing homes for repairs and safety checks 

• looking after homes and communal areas 

• rent and service charges 

• pets 

• antisocial behaviour and community responsibilities 

• repairs, alterations and fire safety 

• lodgers and subletting 

• what happens when a tenancy ends 

• moving towards consistent weekly rent payments throughout the year across Somerset 

The proposed agreement says that when a new tenancy begins, tenants will be asked to make an advance payment of at least two weeks rent and continue their normal payments so the account remains in credit by at least that amount. This proposal relates to new tenancies, not an additional payment automatically required from all existing tenants.

Rent is charged weekly, but payments may be made fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly by agreement, provided they are made in advance and are enough to keep the account up to date for the payment period. 

Contact Homes in Somerset as soon as possible. We can discuss your circumstances, the support available and possible repayment arrangements.

For new tenancies, the proposed agreement includes a requirement to repay money outstanding from a previous tenancy with us. The previous debt is kept separate from the rent due for the current home. 

Not simply because the new term takes effect. The proposal says tenants must not install a new pond or sunken water feature. Existing ponds would need to be reported and kept safe and properly maintained. 

As with existing tenancy agreements, the new proposed tenancy agreement says lofts should not be used for storage.

The proposed agreement says hardwood or laminate flooring must not be installed in upstairs flats because of the risk of noise being transmitted to neighbours. 

The proposed agreement says permission will not be given for plug-in solar panels because of electrical, fire-safety and building-management risks.

The proposed agreement contains provisions about the safe use, charging and storage of e-bikes, e-scooters, mobility scooters and portable power equipment, particularly where fire safety or communal areas may be affected. 

The proposed agreement explains when permission is required to run a business from your home. Contact Homes in Somerset before starting a business activity if you are unsure whether permission is needed.

Possibly, but not simply because there is a blockage. You may be charged where Homes in Somerset has to clear a blockage caused by inappropriate materials being disposed of, such as wet wipes or nappies.

Tell Homes in Somerset as soon as reasonably possible. The proposed agreement emphasises reporting defects, damp, mould, leaks, electrical faults and fire risks promptly. 

You may have to pay for pest-control work where an infestation has been caused or made worse by your actions or by a failure to take reasonable care of the home. 

A secure tenant may take in a lodger without obtaining consent, provided the tenant continues to occupy the property as their only or principal home. You must tell Homes in Somerset in writing when a lodger moves in or leaves. 

No. A lodger does not become a Somerset Council tenant or gain a right to take over the tenancy simply because they live in the property. 

Secure tenants need written consent before subletting part of their home and must continue to occupy the property as their only or principal home. The whole property must not be sublet or given over to somebody else. 

The review is not intended to remove existing legal succession rights. The proposed agreement provides clearer information about who may be able to take over a tenancy. 

Yes. As with current tenancy agreements, joint tenants are each responsible for the tenancy conditions, including rent and service charges. Rent arrears can be recovered from an individual joint tenant.

The proposed agreement gives clearer information about the behaviour expected of tenants, household members and visitors. It covers antisocial behaviour, domestic abuse, unacceptable behaviour towards neighbours, staff and contractors, hate incidents and harassment. 

The proposed agreement contains clearer rules covering CCTV, video doorbells and other recording devices. You should check the final agreement or contact Homes in Somerset before installing equipment if you are unsure what is allowed. 

Shared areas must be kept clear for fire safety. Items that create a fire risk must not be stored on balconies. Tenants are also responsible for disposing of their own litter and waste and helping to keep communal areas tidy. 

The proposed agreement requires four weeks written notice, ending on a Sunday. 

Not automatically. You must leave your home in good decorative order, allowing for fair wear and tear. If very dark colours, murals or specialist finishes are likely to affect reletting, you may be asked to redecorate those particular areas in a neutral colour, so the property can be relet.

Potentially. As in existing tenancy agreements, you must remove furniture, possessions and rubbish and leave the home and the landlord’s fixtures and fittings in good condition, allowing for fair wear and tear. Costs may be charged where cleaning, rubbish removal, repairs or damage are your responsibility. 

Succession rights continue to apply. Where nobody is entitled to succeed, the proposed agreement explains the arrangements for ending the tenancy. A relative or next of kin is not personally responsible for the deceased tenant’s rent simply because they report the death or help deal with the property. 

The consultation is planned to run from 9 November 2026 to midnight on 3 January 2027.

You will be able to respond through the online consultation, by using a paper survey available through Somerset libraries, or through the other contact routes shown in the consultation letter and website. Accessible formats and other languages can also be requested.

Somerset Council and Homes in Somerset will consider the consultation feedback before deciding whether changes should be made. A consultation report will summarise the feedback and explain how it has been taken into account. 

The consultation materials include the proposed tenancy agreement, a plain-English summary and a detailed clause-by-clause comparison. Copies of the existing tenancy agreements will also be available.