The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 2003

Duration of introductory tenancy

7.—(1) A tenancy remains an introductory tenancy until the end of the trial period, unless one of the events mentioned in paragraph (5) occurs before the end of that period.

(2) The “trial period” is the period of one year beginning with—

(a) in the case of a tenancy which was entered into by the Executive or a registered housing association—

(i) the date on which the tenancy was entered into, or

(ii) if later, the date on which a tenant was first entitled to possession under the tenancy; or

(b) in the case of a tenancy which was adopted by the Executive or a registered housing association, the date of adoption;

subject as follows.

(3) Where the tenant under an introductory tenancy was formerly a tenant under another introductory tenancy, or held a qualifying shorthold tenancy from a registered housing association, any period or periods during which he was such a tenant shall count towards the trial period, provided—

(a) if there was one such period, it ended immediately before the date specified in paragraph (2), and

(b) if there was more than one such period, the most recent period ended immediately before that date and each period succeeded the other without interruption.

(4) Where there are joint tenants under an introductory tenancy, the reference in paragraph (3) to the tenant shall be construed as referring to the joint tenant in whose case the application of that paragraph produces the earliest starting date for the trial period.

(5) A tenancy ceases to be an introductory tenancy if, before the end of the trial period—

(a) the circumstances are such that the tenancy would not otherwise be a secure tenancy,

(b) a person or body other than the Executive or a registered housing association becomes the landlord under the tenancy,

(c) the election in force when the tenancy was entered into or adopted is revoked, or

(d) the tenancy ceases to be an introductory tenancy by virtue of Article 15(3) (succession).

(6) A tenancy does not come to an end merely because it ceases to be an introductory tenancy, but a tenancy which has once ceased to be an introductory tenancy cannot subsequently become an introductory tenancy.

(7) This Article has effect subject to Article 12 (effect of beginning proceedings for possession).