Council tenants - your rights explained

As a council tenant, you have important rights to ensure your home is safe, comfortable, and properly maintained. This guide outlines what you can expect from the Council, including your home meeting the Decent Homes Standard, ensuring safety through various checks, and providing accessibility for disabled tenants. Understanding these rights will help you ensure that your living conditions are as they should be.

A decent home

With the exception of Leasehold properties, the Council must ensure that your home meets the government’s Decent Homes Standard.

A decent home meets the following four criteria:

It meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing
It is in a reasonable state of repair
It has reasonably modern facilities and services
It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort

For more details, visit the GOV.UK website.

A Safe home

The Council must comply with health and safety laws to make sure your home is safe for you to live in. This includes:

Gas safety checks
Smoke alarms
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire safety
Asbestos

Refer to your Tenant Handbook for more information (PDF).

A home fit for human habitation

The Council must ensure your home is fit for human habitation. A home may be unfit if, for example, it has been neglected and is in bad condition, or there are problems with drainage or there is a serious problem with damp. There are other criteria that may result in home being unfit.

For more information, visit the GOV.UK website.

Notice for visits

The Council must provide reasonable notice before visiting your home for repairs or inspections. Typically, you will receive at least 24 hours’ notice. In emergencies, immediate access may be necessary. Check your Tenancy Agreement for specifics.