Due to changes in housing law, your tenancy agreement is now called an ‘occupation contract’. Instead of a tenant, you are identified as an ‘occupation contract holder’.  New tenants will be known as introductory contract holders, existing tenants are now known as secure contract holders.

Before becoming an occupation contract holder with us (Wrexham Council) you must sign an occupation contract before you move into your home. The occupation contract is an important legal document that can be used in a court of law.

The contract describes:

• what the council must do (our responsibilities) and what the occupation contract holder has to do (your responsibilities).
• the rights that the law gives to occupation contract holders and to the council.
• the extra rights the occupation contract holder may have.
• what can happen if the contract is broken.

When you sign an occupation contract with us we’re asking you to agree to the conditions of the contract. It’s important that you know and understand what you’re agreeing to do. If you aren’t sure, ask a housing officer to explain anything you don't understand.  

For existing secure tenants there is no need for you to sign your new converted contract.

Responsibilities

We have a responsibility to carry out our obligations as explained in the contract conditions, mainly keeping your home in a good condition.

You also have several responsibilities, including paying your rent, making sure you and the people you’re responsible for look after your home and behave reasonably - without upsetting neighbours.

Both your responsibilities and our responsibilities are legally binding. The conditions are part of the legal agreement you make with us when you accept your occupation contract. You should keep a copy of them in a safe place with your occupation contract.

If you break a condition

We may take steps to end your occupation contract and apply to a court to remove you from your home. In some circumstances we may apply to the court for an injunction, where the court can order you to keep to your occupation contract conditions. In certain circumstances we may get an injunction preventing you from being at the property or any other area shown in the injunction.

If you are a joint occupation contract holder, we can enforce the conditions against both occupation contract holders or individually.

Contract types 

An ‘introductory contract’ will apply for new residents and lasts for the first 12 months (the trial period or probationary period). If there are no problems linked with the contract during this time, it will automatically become a ‘secure contract’ on the anniversary of the date the contract started. The occupation contract holder then has all the rights and responsibilities of a secure contract holder.

Introductory contract holders have fewer rights than secure contract holders and can be evicted more easily.

Your occupation contract will tell you if you’re an introductory contract holder or secure contract holder.