Demoted tenancies are given to tenants who have previously behaved in an antisocial manner, or previously breached the terms of their tenancy agreement. Councils will, effectively, demote such tenants and reduce their rights more inline with the status of an introductory tenancy.
A council must inform a tenant of their demoted status in writing, giving the reasons, the length of the demotion and their new rights and responsibilities. Normally, the demoted period will be on a trial basis of at least one year, with the tenancy reverting to a secure tenancy on completion of what amounts to a probationary period.
During the period of a demoted tenancy, councils can give four weeks’ notice of eviction, and don’t need to prove a legal reason for the eviction.