Subletting

Your lease states whether you are allowed to sublet your home, but usually you can do this if you have bought under the right-to-buy, right-to-acquire or outright sale schemes, or if you own all your home. People who have bought under the shared-ownership or home-equity schemes cannot usually sublet unless they meet certain conditions. You cannot sublet if you do not pay your service charges.

If your lease allows you to sublet you must first get written permission from Peabody (a fee is payable to deal with the request). If you sublet your home without our permission in writing you are breaking the conditions of your lease and we may have to take legal action against you.

If you have a mortgage, you need to check with your mortgage company that they allow you to sublet and get the permission in writing. You should also check that your home contents insurance will still be valid.

Your subtenant must sign an assured shorthold tenancy agreement, which lasts for at least six months. This should be the same as your lease, so that the tenant is required to meet the same conditions as you, for example on noise nuisance. You should include a clause which allows you to give two months' notice of ending the tenancy.

We will require:

• a copy of the shorthold tenancy agreement you have with your tenant
• the letter from your mortgage company giving you permission to sublet
• a contact number for the subtenant
• the address, phone number and email address we can contact you on in an emergency
• the details of your letting agent, if you have one

You are responsible for the actions and behaviour of your subtenants. If your subtenant breaks the conditions of your lease, we will hold you responsible and take action against you.