Guide for new council tenants

There are certain things that you need to do when you become a council tenant.

This includes:

• showing us proof of your identity and proof of address
• telling us about any change of circumstances, so we can update our records

Before you can become a tenant, we need to see some proof of your identity (ID) and proof of your address.

You must take the following to our Citizen Service Point:

• personal ID such as a passport, driving licence or birth certificate
• proof of current address such as a utility bill, phone bill, bank statement or benefits letter which is less than three months old
• if you claim child benefit then we need to see a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions, a bank statement and the birth certificate of your children
• if you're not a British Citizen then we need to see proof that you have the right to remain in the UK, there should be a note in your passport
• if you're from the EU then we need to see proof that you're working, such as a contract of employment or your last 3 months' payslips

Before we can offer you a new council tenancy, we'll need to check the condition of your current home.

You'll need to provide clear photographs and videos of the property. In some cases a surveyor may need to visit.

We'll check that your home has been looked after and that it is clean, tidy, and free from damage.

We'll look for things like:

• missing or damaged doors
• damaged kitchen units
• unauthorised changes or improvements to the property

Housing benefit and council tax reduction

If you're already claiming Universal Credit, or a reduction to your council tax, you'll need to tell us about your change of circumstances so we can update our benefits records.

Find out if you can claim benefits with our benefits calculator. If you're eligible, you can apply for benefits online.

Universal Credit

If you claim Universal Credit, you must update the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of your new address and report your housing costs. Call 0800 328 5644 or sign in to your Universal Credit account online.

Council tax

You'll also need to tell us that you're moving home so we can update our council tax records.

If you have any questions call us on 0117 922 2300.

If you currently live in rented accommodation you must tell your landlord that you'll be leaving and that you want to end your tenancy.

You'll usually need to give written notice. This is normally at least 4 weeks or one calendar month. Check your tenancy agreement to find out what applies to you.

You may be able to claim Housing Benefit for both addresses during the notice period. However, you must move into your new home as soon as the tenancy starts.

Before you move in we'll:

• do a pre-tenancy assessment where you'll speak with your housing officer about:
  • your tenancy responsibilities, including paying rent and other charges
  • any care and support needs that you, or other people in your household might need 
• show you around the property and answer any of your questions 
• give you a copy of our letting standard: it tells you about the work we do to your home before you move in and what work may be carried out once you move in
• give you a copy of your tenancy agreement and make sure you understand it
• give you a copy of your gas safety certificate

You'll also be photographed when you sign up.

We strongly advise that you get home contents insurance for your new home.

All our properties come unfurnished so you'll need to provide your own furniture and appliances. 

You can find many second hand items online for free. Try Freecycle and Freegle.

pdf Several local furniture projects(1.20 MB) refurbish and recycle furniture and electrical goods, selling them at bargain prices.

We'll visit you within four to six weeks to:

• check that you have moved and settled in
• check that you know how to access our services
• answer any queries you may have

Your housing officer will contact you to arrange an appointment.

If you have moved into a block of flats with a caretaking service, a member of the team will visit or call you.

They'll tell you about:

• getting rid of your rubbish
• arranging your laundry time, if your block has a laundry
• any parking restrictions, like designated parking
• contacting Caretaking Services

You can sign up for our MyBristolHousing service to see your rent payments and other housing charges online.

You can find all this information and more in our  pdf Tenant's handbook(1.20 MB) .