Tenants advice and information

Your Rights and Responsibilities

This section sets out very briefly the main rights and responsibilities for tenants renting property from private landlords and/or letting agents. Further information on these and other topics are available via the links on the left or by contacting the Private Sector Housing Division on 01642 527797.

Paying Your Rent

You must pay your rent. If you do not your landlord can get a possession order and can evict you from your home.

Looking After the Property

You have a duty to look after the property and use it in a responsible way, pay the rent as agreed and keep to the terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement, unless they contravene your rights in law. You are responsible for your behaviour as well as the behaviour of any dependants and guests, and as such you should not be involved in or allow any anti-social, illegal or immoral behaviour.

Repairs & Safety

The landlord is responsible for repairs to the structure and exterior of the property, baths, sinks and other sanitary installations, heating and hot water installations, and other installations which the landlord controls. You are responsible for any damage caused by you, your family or your guests. Your landlord is responsible for the safety of gas and electrical appliances. By law your landlord must arrange for an annual gas safety check to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered technician.

Your Right to Stay in Your Home

Your landlord cannot evict you without a possession order from the court.

If you need help or advice with anything to do with private renting, feel free to contact the Private Sector Housing Division on 01642 527797 or by completing the online referral form.

In the meantime, you may find 'Thinking of Renting from a Private Landlord', useful. This is full of tips you should look for when renting from a Private Landlord.