Changes to the Household

Changes to your Household

As a Scottish Secure Tenant, you have the right to make changes to who lives in the house with you.  However, it is important that the Association keeps accurate, up-to-date records and information about who is living in our properties and for most changes you must therefore notify the Association and get our permission beforehand.

This not only allows us to make sure that everyone is getting the information and services they need but also protects their rights with regards to issues such as succeeding to the tenancy, being advised of any legal action to repossess the property and becoming a joint tenant.

Knowing details about the people living in your home also means that we can advise you of any changes that may affect you, including changes to the welfare benefits system and/or legislation.

Permission to Reside

You should notify the Association in writing if someone moves out of your home or if you want someone to come and live with you permanantly.

Although you don't need our permission for someone to move out, it is still important that you notify us as it can have an impact on, for instance, your benefits entitlement (eg make you liabile for 'bedroom tax', eligible for council tax deduction etc).

It is, however, important that you get our permission if you want someone to move in with you so that we can ensure that you are not breaking the law by overcrowding the property.

You can let us know about any changes to your household composition by clicking here.

Taking in a Lodger

A lodger is someone who is not a member of your close family (eg wife, husband, partner, son, daughter etc) who rents one or more rooms from you, the tenant, while you are still living in the property.

You are still the legal tenant and the lodger will have no legal right to remain living in the house if you decide to give up your tenancy.  You will also be responsible for the conduct of your lodger in and aroudn your home.

If you wish to take in a lodger you must have the Association's written permission.  More information on how to apply for our permission is available in the Association's information leaflet Taking in a Lodger.

Sub-Letting

Sub-letting is when you rent out the whole of your home to another household for a temporary period of time, for instance if you are going to be away from home temporarily for work.  You are still the tenant of the property during the period of the sub-let and therefore remain repsonsible for all aspects of the tenancy including making sure the rent is paid to the Association, the conduct of those living in, and visiting, the property, ensuring repairs are reported etc.

You must obtain the Association's permission BEFORE you leave your home and allow another household to move in.  If you don't the sub-let is illegal.  More importantly, you will be in breach of your tenancy agreement and the Association could take legal action to evict you and recover the property.

Before the Association will give permission there are some conditions that you will have to maeet and more information on what you have to do is avaikable in the Association's information Sub-letting Information Leaflet.

Please remember that you can only sub-let on a te,porary basis and for a relatively short period of time.  If you do not return to permanently live in your house at the end of the agreed period, the Association can take legal action to recover the tenancy.