The basics

■ If you are renting from a landlord, then you have the right to be able to contact them directly should you need to.
■ Your landlord or letting agency is legally obliged to give at least 24 hours notice prior to entering the property you are renting.
■ Your landlord or letting agency cannot increase your rent or make any other changes to a contract or other legal documents you’ve signed without your permission.
■ Even if you are breach of contract, your landlord will still have to go through the courts to get you evicted and take possession of a property.
■ Your rights cover you as a tenant, even if they aren’t written into your tenancy agreement.
■ Your landlord or letting agency is responsible for making sure items such as water; gas and electricity are in good working order.
 

Bonds and deposits

It’s a standard procedure for a landlord or letting agency to ask you for a deposit in order to protect themselves against unpaid rent or any damages incurred to a property.

It is a requirement for your landlord to inform you of which government-approved tenancy deposit scheme they have deposited your funds into. Your tenancy agreement should state in clear terms when some or all of a deposit may be withheld and you have the right to appeal any deductions, through the tenancy deposit scheme your landlord is signed up to.
 

Access to a property
 

As a tenant, you have the right to private accommodation. Your landlord or letting agency must give you 24 hours written notice should they wish to enter the property. It is also your responsibility to meet any reasonable request for access.

Standards of accommodation

You have the right to live in clean, safe and comfortable accommodation without unnecessary disturbance. Your landlord or letting agency is obliged to ensure that a property is structurally sound, habitable and that the property complies with all relevant building regulation.

Landlord contact details
 

Tenants have the right to be able to contact their landlord directly. Should you put such a request in writing to your letting agency, they are legally obliged to provide you with the details within 21 days.

Additionally, if your landlord changes, you have the right to be notified within two months of this happening.
 

Ending a tenancy
 

Landlords can regain possession of a property, so long as they give two months’ notice and they do not have to provide any reasons or justification for their decision. Landlords signed up to assured tenancy agreements, however, can only evict their tenants if they can prove to a local court that they have ground for possession, for example if you have fallen behind on rent or have acted as a nuisance.

Once your tenancy contract has expired, you have the right to expect your deposit returned within 30 days, provided you have stuck to the terms of your contract.
 

If you have any doubts or concerns about your rights, you should contact the Citizens Advice Bureau.