Your right to occupy your home
Security of tenure
You have the right to live peacefully in your home without interruption, provided it is your only or principal home.
Scottish Secure Tenancies offer strong security of tenure — your tenancy can only be ended through formal Scottish legal processes.
Eviction protections
We can only end your tenancy using the legal procedures set out in Scottish housing law.
Grounds for eviction include issues such as persistent non‑payment of rent or serious antisocial behaviour, and will be stated in your tenancy agreement.
Access to your home
We may occasionally need access to your home for inspections, repairs, or safety checks.
You will normally receive at least 24 hours’ notice, and we will always try to arrange a convenient appointment unless it's an emergency.
Your home, repairs and our responsibilities
The standard your home must meet
Our responsibilities as your landlord
Reporting repairs and concerns
Making changes to your home
Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, tenants have the right to:
- Request permission to decorate or make reasonable alterations
- Have these requests considered fairly
- Be protected from unreasonable refusals
- response to these requests in a timely fashion
You may apply to swap your home with another social housing tenant, with our permission and the other landlord’s.
Permission can only be refused for lawful reasons, such as:
- Antisocial behaviour
- Legal action to end the tenancy
- The property being unsuitable for the receiving household
Sub‑letting or taking in a lodger
You can apply for permission to:
- Take in a lodger
- Sub‑let all or part of your home
We will not refuse consent without good reason.
Your right to end your tenancy
If you wish to end your tenancy, you must give at least 28 days’ notice.
You must tell us at the same time if you are married, in a ciivl partnership or you live in the house with another person as husband or wife. If you do, their agreement may also be required.
Your right to succession
If you die, someone may be able to take over your tenancy. In Scotland:
- A joint tenant, partner or qualifying family member can succeed
- The qualifying period has been reduced from 12 months to 6 months under new legislation
Decorating and alterations
Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, tenants have the right to:
- Request permission to decorate or make reasonable alterations
- Have these requests considered fairly
- Be protected from unreasonable refusals
- response to these requests in a timely fashion
Sharing or exchanging your home
You may apply to swap your home with another social housing tenant, with our permission and the other landlord’s.
Permission can only be refused for lawful reasons, such as:
- Antisocial behaviour
- Legal action to end the tenancy
- The property being unsuitable for the receiving household
Sub‑letting or taking in a lodger
You can apply for permission to:
- Take in a lodger
- Sub‑let all or part of your home
We will not refuse consent without good reason.
Ending or changing your tenancy
Your right to end your tenancy
If you wish to end your tenancy, you must give at least 28 days’ notice.
You must tell us at the same time if you are married, in a ciivl partnership or you live in the house with another person as husband or wife. If you do, their agreement may also be required.
Your right to succession
If you die, someone may be able to take over your tenancy. In Scotland:
- A joint tenant, partner or qualifying family member can succeed
- The qualifying period has been reduced from 12 months to 6 months under new legislation
Your voice, information and financial support
You have the right to:
- Participate in decisions affecting your home
- Provide feedback
- Make complaints and receive a fair response
- Be consulted about changes to rent and services
Riverside Scotland’s rent policy requires compliance with Scottish regulatory standards, ensuring tenants are meaningfully involved.
You are entitled to:
- Clear information about rent charges
- Support if you are struggling with payments
- Benefit advice and signposting
- Access to affordability‑focused initiatives such as Housing Perks (if offered)
Riverside Scotland must ensure rents remain affordable and do not create undue financial strain for low‑income households.
We must consult you — and give you an opportunity to comment — when proposing significant changes to how we manage or maintain your home, or if we propose transferring your home to another landlord.
This duty is also supported by the Scottish Social Housing Charter, which requires meaningful tenant involvement
Your right to be heard
You have the right to:
- Participate in decisions affecting your home
- Provide feedback
- Make complaints and receive a fair response
- Be consulted about changes to rent and services
Riverside Scotland’s rent policy requires compliance with Scottish regulatory standards, ensuring tenants are meaningfully involved.
Your financial rights
You are entitled to:
- Clear information about rent charges
- Support if you are struggling with payments
- Benefit advice and signposting
- Access to affordability‑focused initiatives such as Housing Perks (if offered)
Riverside Scotland must ensure rents remain affordable and do not create undue financial strain for low‑income households.
Your right to be consulted
We must consult you — and give you an opportunity to comment — when proposing significant changes to how we manage or maintain your home, or if we propose transferring your home to another landlord.
This duty is also supported by the Scottish Social Housing Charter, which requires meaningful tenant involvement
Pages in this section
Your Tenancy Agreement
Your Tenancy Agreement is an important legal document — please keep it in a safe place.
If you need another copy, please contact us.
Access your agreement
You will receive a copy of your agreement when you become a tenant.
New customers may also be able to access their agreement via My Riverside.
Please note:
Your original Tenancy Agreement cannot be changed, although changes in Scottish law may automatically update your rights.
Your responsibilities
Alongside your rights, you must:
- Pay rent on time
- Look after your home
- Respect neighbours
- Report repairs promptly
- Inform us of changes in your household
- Request permission before making alterations or keeping pets
These obligations are part of your Scottish Secure Tenancy agreement and Scottish law.
Need further help?
If you have questions about your rights or need support, you can contact:
Note: This is intended as a general guide and is not a comprehensive or legally precise list of your rights. Always refer to your tenancy agreement and contact us if you are in any doubt. You are also free to take your own legal advice.