Not all council tenants have the same protection from eviction. The type of tenancy agreement you have will affect many of your rights, including how and when the council can evict you, whether you can pass your tenancy on and whether you have the right to buy.

Councils provide introductory, secure and demoted tenancies. They should give you a written tenancy agreement, which says clearly what type you have and outlines your rights and responsibilities. For a summary of the different types of tenancies, download a free Shelter housing advice booklet.

If you live in temporary housing that the council arranged because you were homeless, you may not actually have a council tenancy at all.

Introductory council tenancies

Most councils give new tenants an introductory tenancy for the first year. This is on a trial basis - you can be evicted very easily. Read more

Secure council tenancies

You probably have a secure tenancy if you got your home through the waiting list and have lived there for at least a year. Secure tenants have strong rights. Read more

Demoted council tenancies

Secure council tenancies can be downgraded to a demoted tenancy in some circumstances. This gives you similar status to an introductory tenant. Read more

Temporary housing from the council

Living in temporary housing provided by the council after you made a homelessness application? This is not the same as having a council tenancy but you still have rights. Read more

Not all housing association tenants have the same protection from eviction. The type of tenancy agreement you have will affect many of your rights, including how and when the housing association can evict you, whether you can pass your tenancy on, and whether you have the right to buy.

Housing associations provide secure, assured, assured shorthold, and starter tenancies, or they can apply to the courts to demote your tenancy. They should give you a written tenancy agreement that clearly says what type of tenancy you have and outlines your rights and responsibilities.

For a summary of the different types of housing association tenancies, download a free Shelter housing advice booklet.

Starter tenancies

A housing association will give you a starter tenancy as a 12-month trial period at the beginning of your tenancy. Read more

Assured tenancies

Most housing association tenants have assured tenancies, but you should check your status if you are uncertain. If you have another type of housing association tenancy, your rights will be very different. Read more

Assured shorthold tenancies

Housing associations often provide assured shorthold tenancies if the tenancy is temporary, or if it is a starter or demoted tenancy Read more

Secure tenancies

Secure tenants have relatively stronger rights than other housing association tenants. Read more

Demoted tenancies

If you behave antisocially housing associations can demote your tenancy to a less secure type for a certain period of time. Read more