Renting - your rights and responsibilities

Your rights

Before you get the keys to your property, you should sign a tenancy agreement. This document sets out the expectations of both you and your landlord.

As a tenant you also have the right to:

  • be protected from unfair eviction and unfair rental increases
  • have your deposit protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme
  • get your deposit back at the end of your tenancy, as long as you meet your responsibilities as a tenant
  • know who your landlord is
  • challenge excessively high charges
  • see an Energy Performance Certificate for the property
  • live in a property that’s in a good state of repair and is safe, this includes the right to electrical and gas safety certificates
  • live in the property undisturbed. A landlord can request to do an inspection but you should receive sufficient notice ahead of the appointment (24 hours except in emergency) 

Read more about you tenancy rights on Shelter’s website and on the government website.

If things go wrong

Remember, always notify your landlord or letting agent in a timely manner. Never call the landlord expecting the issue to be resolved immediately, as tradesmen if required will need to be booked and they are often very busy. 

Property in poor condition

If you are a tenant and are concerned that the condition/outstanding repairs of your rented property are affecting your health and/or safety you should in the first instance contact your landlord or housing association to give them a chance to resolve the matter. If you cannot resolve this matter, please contact our Environmental Health team for further advice.

Tenants are advised to follow this three-step process: 

  1. Report it to your landlord
  2. Complain to your landlord
  3. Escalate to the Housing Ombudsman

Read more about how to complain about a social housing issue on the government website.

If the works have not been completed or you are still concerned, then please contact our environmental services domestic team on 01353 665555.

We may give you advice over the phone or email, or if we consider it necessary an officer may arrange to visit your property to complete an inspection under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.  

Facing eviction

If you are homeless or facing homelessness, you can find out more on our at risk of homelessness pages.

Always read any letters from your landlord. They may contain information about the action they are going to take. 

Your landlord must follow strict procedures if they want you to leave their property, depending on the type of tenancy agreement you have and the terms of it. If they don’t, they may be guilty of illegally evicting or harassing you. 

Rent increases

Rent increases must be fair and realistic, such as in line with average local rents.  

If your tenancy agreement lays down a procedure for increasing rent, your landlord must stick to this or get your written permission if they want to increase your rent by more than previously agreed.

Your landlord can renew your tenancy agreement at the end of the fixed term with an increased rent.  

Your landlord must give you a minimum of one month’s notice if you pay rent weekly or monthly. If you have a yearly tenancy, they must give you 6 months’ notice.  

Rent disputes

If you are a private tenant and think your rent is too high, you might be able to ask a tribunal to set the rent. You can read more about this on Shelter's website.

You can get free advice on disputes or housing problems from our housing advisers or Shelter. A solicitor can help you, but they may charge a fee. If you have to go to court you can get advice on the day of the hearing from the housing duty desk at the court. 

Settling disputes

You can often sort out disputes with your landlord without going to court:  

  1. First, speak to your landlord about your concerns.  
  2. If this doesn’t work, write a formal letter setting out the problem.  
  3. Use a mediation service, which is usually cheaper and quicker than going to court.  
  4. As a last resort, you can take your landlord to court.  

Your responsibilities 

Your responsibilities as a tenant include:

  • paying the rent on time
  • taking care to avoid damaging the property
  • providing they give you sufficient notice, allow your landlord access to conduct inspections and to do any necessary maintenance work
  • paying all other bills and charges as specified in your tenancy agreement
  • reporting any problems with the property (for example mould or broken windows) to your landlord in good time so that they can arrange for these problems to be fixed
  • not sub-letting the property unless your tenancy agreement says you can

For more information visit private renting: Your rights and responsibilities on the government website