As a tenant of Newington HA you have certain responsibilities and obligations towards the Association. These obligations are legally binding as part of your Tenancy Agreement and failure to adhere to one or more of these obligations may lead to the Association seeking possession of the property through the courts.
Rent
To pay the rent and rates as well as any other charges, regularly and promptly when due.
Repairs and Maintenance
To maintain the dwelling in a clean and tidy condition, including gardens and outside areas within the boundary of the dwelling.
To make good any damage to the dwelling wilfully or negligently caused by the tenant or any other person lawfully living in or lawfully visiting the dwelling.
To maintain and keep in repair anything which is a tenant responsibility (See Section 4.00).
To report all defects and repairs (that are the responsibility of the Landlord) to the Association as soon as you become aware of them.
Tenant Repair Responsibility Responsibilities
Newington HA is not responsible for all repairs within your home. As a tenant you also have responsibility for the following:
- repairing damage through misuse, neglect or wilful damage by any member of your household or guests
decorations within the property including repairing minor cracks. - ensuring that gas heating systems have adequate fuel or credit to operate, the costs of reinstating heating in such cases will be passed onto the tenant
- to keep your garden and all areas within the boundary of your home clean and tidy
- to take reasonable precautions to prevent damage to the property though fire, frost, blocked drains or burst water pipes
- to ensure the property is left in a clean and tidy condition and all personal items have been removed when you end your tenancy
- to report all repairs to the Association as soon as you have discovered them and allow reasonable access for staff and contractors to carry out repairs
In most cases access to your home to carry out repairs will have to be provided by you. If you can provide the Association with a mobile telephone number we can arrange for appointments and reminders to be sent to you via text message. This will help mitigate against missed appointments and ensure that the works are carried out as quickly as possible.
The Association does not take responsibility for damage to floor coverings (including wooden floors) which may occur when carrying out repair work. It is your responsibility as tenant to provide clear access to areas of your home which need repair. This would include moving all furniture and lifting carpets and wooden floors
In the case of an emergency repair, Newington HA reserves the right to enter your home to make safe defects.
The following items are those which you can be reasonably held responsible for through everyday use and natural wear and tear:
- repairs to electrical appliances, fires and heaters not installed by the Association
- doorbells and plugs
- replacement of bulbs, starters and fluorescent tubes
- cleaning out gully traps, drains and wastes within the property
- washers on taps
- replacement of showerheads, stoppers on baths, sinks and basins
- clearing air locks in pipes
- adjustment of doors to fit carpets, laminate or other flooring
- replacement of locks if you lose your keys
- internal door hinges, locks and handles
- doors, hinges, handles, catches and drawers on kitchen and bedroom furniture
- draught proofing of doors and windows
- replacement of broken glass
- internal tiles on window sills
- curtain rails and coat/hat hooks
- internal plaster cracks
- TV aerials except where communal TV aerial supplied
- installation of cookers, plumbing washing machines and dishwashers
- bleeding of radiators
- securing WC bowls and replacement of WC seat
- replacement of fireplace tiles
- replacement of bathroom cabinets, towel rails, toilet roll holders and mirrors
- changing fuses and resetting trip switches
- replacement of bibs and washing lines
- additional locks or security features
- maintenance of white goods supplied by the Association
- extermination of vermin within the dwelling
Use of Dwelling
To use the dwelling as a private dwelling house and your principal home. You can only run a business from your home with the express written permission of the Association. To obtain this you must provide written details of the nature of the business and you will be contacted accordingly.
Occupation
To occupy the dwelling as the only principal home to maintain your status as a Secure or Introductory tenant.
If the Association has reason to believe that this is not the case you may be issued with a Notice of Abandonment or further legal action to regain possession of the property.
Nuisance to Neighbours and Anti-Social Behaviour
The tenant is responsible for the behaviour of every person (including children) living in or visiting the tenants home. This includes responsibility for their behaviour in the home on surrounding land, in communal areas (stairs, lifts, landing, entrance halls, paving shared gardens, parking areas) and in the locality of the dwelling house.
Caravans, Vehicles etc.
Not to park or allow being parked any caravan, boat, vehicle or other items or goods within the curtilage or neighbourhood of the dwelling in such a position or in such a manner as to cause a nuisance or annoyance to the occupiers of any neighbouring or adjoining premises.
Gas Cylinders
Not to store any Liquid Petroleum Gas if the dwelling is a flat or maisonette within a complex of two or more storeys in height.
Not to store any Liquid Petroleum Gas without the written permission of Newington HA if the dwelling is any other type of flat with shared access.
Pets
in General Needs accommodation the tenant will usually be allowed to move into the property with the pet but you should have written permission before doing so.
Not to keep any domestic pets without the consent in writing of Newington HA (if the dwelling is a flat or maisonette or sheltered scheme).
You do not require written permission to keep caged birds or small fish in tanks, however dangerous pets will not be allowed in any circumstances. Permission must be obtained before a pigeon loft is erected.
Written permission is required to keep more than one domestic animal and all pets must be kept under control and supervised at all times.
Structures
You must not erect within the boundary of the dwelling any movable or immovable structure or adaptation without the prior written consent of the Association.
Planning and Building Control
Not to permit the dwelling to be used in any way contrary to the Planning (NI) Orders, the Building Control Regulations or any amendment or replacement of such Orders or Regulations.
Not to breach, permit or suffer any breach of:
- the Planning (Northern Ireland) Orders; or
- the Building Control regulations; or
- any amendment or replacement of those Orders or Regulations
Keys
To pay for the replacement of any lost keys
Access
To allow persons authorised by the Chief Executive and Newington HA employees’ reasonable access for the purposes of:
- viewing its condition; or
- reading, installing, servicing, improving or removing meters; or
- carrying out any works of repair; or
- carrying out any other works (whether of improvement alteration or otherwise)
Newington HA will normally (except in the case of Emergency):
- give at least 24 hours notice before exercising any right of access and not seek to exercise such a right of access at any time prior to 9.00am or 6.00pm
Tenants are advised to check the credentials of anyone wishing to gain access to the dwelling.
Waste and Provision of Bins
All tenants will be provided with a “wheelie bin” at the beginning of your tenancy. The cost of replacement of the bin through loss or damage is the responsibility of the tenant.
All household rubbish should be placed in the bin a left in the designated area for collection on the day specified by Belfast City Council. Bulkier items can be collected by Belfast City Council free of charge. You should pre arrange this with the council and only leave these items out on the day of collection to prevent nuisance or danger to your neighbours. Alternatively you can dispose of waste yourself at any of the Council’s recycling and waste centres.
Contents Insurance
The Association cannot be held responsible for damage to the contents of your property. We strongly advise that you have adequate household insurance which covers all items of repair which are your responsibility.