Can I buy my house?
- If you are a secure tenant of a council, a registered social landlord such as a housing association or housing action trust, you probably have the legal right to buy your home.
- The Right to Buy means you can buy your home if you satisfy certain criteria.
For more information about the Right to Buy contact the Right to Buy Team.
Right to Buy Team
Neighbourhood and Housing Management Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444286
Email: estatemanagement@guildford.gov.uk
Can I carry out works to my home?
- If you are a secure council tenant you have the right to apply for permission to alter/improve your home. You need permission from us if you wish to carry out works.
- If you own the lease of a council property, or have purchased an ex-local authority property you may need consent from the council to carry out alterations or improvements to the exterior of the property or garden.
If you would like to discuss your proposed improvement/alteration contact your Area Housing Manager.
(Please note you may also need to contact the Planning Department to find out whether planning consent is required for the works.)
What is an Introductory Tenancy?
- If you have not held a secure tenancy previously with the Council you will automatically be signed up as an introductory tenant.
- All introductory tenancies are reviewed after a period of 1 year. Provided that you have conducted your tenancy satisfactorily you will be granted a secure tenancy at the end of that year.
- The grounds for possession of a property vary slightly according to whether you are an introductory or secure tenant. The tenancies are also subject to different Conditions of Tenancy.
- Introductory Tenants do not have the Right to Buy.
If you have any queries regarding the type of tenancy you have please contact Estate Management Services using the details at the bottom of this page.
How can I arrange to move to another property?
There are two ways you can apply to move to another property: via the transfer register or a mutual exchange.
- The transfer register means you are placed on a register where you will be allocated points according to your need to move. Whether you are moved, and how quickly this happens, will be determined by how many points you are allocated and by the availability of empty properties.
- Tenants may swap properties by arranging a mutual exchange. The Council’s permission must be obtained first.
If you would like further information about the transfer register or mutual exchange please go to Housing Advice.
What happens if the tenant dies?
If the tenant dies you should notify the Council straight away. In most cases four weeks notice in writing is required to terminate the tenancy.
For more information, see our Tenancy Termination Leaflet [PDF] (124k)
Details of who to notify can be found in Tenants Services
If you are a relative or carer you may be able to succeed to the tenancy in certain circumstances.
Find out more in our Succession Leaflet [PDF] (99k)
For any further advice, please contact the Estate Management team:
Estate Management Team
Neighbourhood and Housing Management Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444288
Email: estatemanagement@guildford.gov.uk