My rights and responsibilities

1. Living in your home

You should use your home as a place to live, not for running a business, unless we’ve said it’s okay.

Your house should be your only and principal home.

You must not do anything illegal, dangerous, or disrespectful in your home or nearby. This includes things that could get you into trouble with the police.

We ask that you:

Are responsible and respectful.

Take care of your home, the area around it, and are kind to your neighbours.

Follow the rules in your tenancy agreement. These rules apply to you, your family, and anyone staying or visiting your home, including children.

If you plan to be away from your home for more than 28 days, please write to our estate management team and let us know when you’ll be back.

2. Lodgers and sub-letting

A?lodger?is someone who lives with you and shares rooms and things like the kitchen or bathroom.

If you have a?secure or flexible tenancy, you’re allowed to have a lodger. But if you get?housing benefit, you must tell the housing benefit team, because it might change how much money you get.

You can also rent out part of your home (called?sub-letting) if you have our?written permission. But you?must not rent out the whole home, this breaks the rules and we may take legal action.
If you have an?introductory or demoted tenancy, you’re?not allowed?to have lodgers or rent out any part of your home.

3. Running a business from your home

We know some people want to work from home, and we try to support that when we can. If you want to run a business from your home, you must?write to our estate management team?and get?written permission?before you start. We’ll usually say yes, unless the business:

Might bother your neighbours,

Could damage the property,

Or doesn’t meet rules from other organisations.

Some businesses, like?child-minding?or?typing services, might be okay. But we’ll probably say no to businesses that:

Fix cars,

Store dangerous materials,

Or have lots of people coming and going, which could disturb neighbours.

You’ll also need to:

Get any other permissions you need, like?planning permission?or a?DBS check.

Follow?health and safety rules.

Tell the?council tax and business rates teams, and?the housing benefits teams if it applies to you.

4. Loft space

Most council homes have a hatch in the ceiling that leads to the loft (the space under the roof). This space is only meant to be used by council workers or contractors.

You must?not use the loft?unless we give you?written permission.

If you use the loft without permission and something gets damaged, like wires, pipes, insulation, or the ceiling, or if someone gets hurt,?you will be responsible?for the cost and any injuries.

In special cases, we might let you use the loft, but you must ask us first and get our permission in writing.

5. Parking your car

You can park a car on your property?only if?there’s a proper parking space (called a hard standing) and a dropped kerb so the car can get in safely. If you want to build one, you must?ask us for permission first. We might be able to help with some of the cost.

You?can’t park?a car that isn’t taxed or safe to drive on your property or on council housing land.

If you want to park things like?boats, caravans, trailers, or small work vans, you must?ask our estate management team for written permission.

Big vehicles?(larger than a transit van or over 3.5 tonnes) are?not allowed?at all.

You must?not do major car repairs?on your property, in parking areas, or on the road.

6. Keeping pets

You can have pets at home, as long as they are?well looked after?and?under control.

Think carefully about?how many pets?you have and whether they are?suitable for your home.

You must follow the rules in your tenancy agreement about pets. Here’s a simple summary:

Follow any laws about keeping and controlling pets.

Keep your pets under control and don’t let them cause problems for neighbours.

Clean up after your pets, especially in the garden and shared areas.

Ask us for permission before putting in a pet flap or exit. We can’t allow these in fire doors, windows, or walls.

Make sure all your dogs are?microchipped.

If your pet causes trouble, damages property, or is a health risk to others, including council staff, we may ask you to remove the pet or take legal action.

We also have a?pet policy?that explains all the rules about having pets in council homes.

7. Access to your home

Sometimes, council staff or workers need to come into your home to check its condition, do repairs, make improvements, or fix health and safety problems. This includes the yearly safety check for gas appliances.

We will?let you know in advance?if we need to come in, unless it’s an?emergency.

In an emergency (like something that could hurt someone or damage your home or a neighbour’s home), we may need to enter your home?without warning?to fix the problem quickly.

All council staff and contractors carry?ID cards. You should?ask to see their ID?before letting them in.

If you’re unsure about someone who says they’re from the council,?call us to check?before you open the door.

8. Insurance cover and home insurance

What we insure and what you need to insure yourself

We (East Devon District Council)?insure the building?you live in. This means if there’s a fire, lightning strike, storm, or flood, we will pay to fix or rebuild the home.

We?do not insure your personal belongings?or any changes you’ve made to the home. You should get your own?home contents insurance?to protect your things, like furniture, clothes, and electronics, if they get?broken, damaged, or stolen. It can give you?peace of mind?in case something goes wrong.

Crystal insurance scheme

We work with?Thistle Tenant Risks, who offer a special insurance plan called the?Crystal Insurance Scheme. It’s for people living in council or affordable housing. It can cover:

Furniture, carpets, curtains, clothes, bedding, electrical items, jewellery, pictures, and ornaments.

Damage from fire, water, or theft.

Improvements you’ve made (up to £2,000 or 20% of the insured amount).

Theft from sheds, garages, or outbuildings (up to £3,000).
Broken windows or lost keys (up to £500).

The insurance is designed for?social housing tenants?who want to protect their belongings and is provided by?Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited?through Thistle Tenant Risks. You’ll get all the important documents to help you decide if this insurance is right for you.

The cover is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions contained in the Policy Wording , which you should read carefully. The premiums and payment methods available are shown on the rate card. Please note fortnightly and monthly premiums include a transaction change.

If you are unsure whether this insurance policy is right for you please contact Thistle Tenant Risks who will be happy to help with your queries.

Key safes and insurance

A?key safe?is a secure box outside your home that holds a spare key. It helps carers or emergency services get in if needed.

If you have a key safe:

Tell your insurance company.
Don’t use bolts, chains, or leave a key in the lock, as this can stop people from getting in during an emergency.
Tell us?if you change the key safe code.

How do I get further information?

If you’d like to apply for home contents insurance, you can do so by completing an application form or by calling Thistle Tenant Risks on 0345 450 7286. Alternatively, visit https://www.crystal-insurance.co.uk/ for more information. Prior to completing the application form, please review the Thistle Insurance Services Terms of Business Agreement and Insurance Product Information Document. These documents give you important information on your rights and how we deal with you and your insurance and key information regarding the insurance cover. Please note that all Tenant Risks business is arranged on a non-advised basis. This means that you will be provided with the key information to be able to make an informed decision on which cover is appropriate for your needs.

What to do if you have a complaint

It is always the intention to give You the best possible service but if You do have any questions or concerns about this insurance or the handling of a claim You should follow the procedure.

A copy of Thistle Insurance Services complaint’s procedure is available on request. For additional information, view our complaints page https://www.crystal-insurance.co.uk/Make-a-Complaint

The Crystal Insurance Scheme is a product name arranged and administered by Thistle Tenant Risks a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Firm Reference Number 310419. Registered in England under No. 00338645. Registered office: Rossington's Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is part of the PIB Group.

For information about what we do with personal data please see our Privacy Policy at www.crystal-insurance.co.uk/Privacy-Policy

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