Advice for Tenants

We provide a range of services to help tenants in Private Rented accommodation these include

• Responding to complaints about poor housing conditions in the private rented sector.
• Providing information on how to deal with specific problems in the property such as condensation, damp and mould or excess cold. 
• Taking action to improve private rented housing, particularly where risks to health and safety are involved.
• Licensing of certain houses in multiple occupation.
• Information on tenancy relation issues such as Notice to Quit, illegal eviction, harassment, tenancy deposits
• Information on what to do if you want to move Click here
• Housing Inspections for Immigration Purposes

Tenant’s responsibilities

As a tenant you should only carry out repairs if the tenancy agreement says you can.

You are responsible for making repairs to put right any damage caused by you, your family and friends.

Your landlord is not obliged to repair anything that belongs to you in the property, unless it has been damaged because they did not carry out their repair obligations, for example not fixing a leaking roof.

You are required under the tenancy to continue to pay the rent even if you believe the landlord needs to carry out repairs. If you decide to withhold the rent, you should bear in mind that this will put you in breach of your tenancy agreement and your landlord could take action against you, including serving you with a Notice to Quit.

The landlord has to give you at least 24 hours notice to enter the premises to carry out works, although immediate access may be necessary in emergencies.

If the landlord needs to get any gas works done you can check whether the plumber is Gas Safe registered by either calling 0800 408 5500 or logging on to the website www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk

There is also an facility online for tenants to advise if their landlord has not supplied them with a gas safety certificate, where applicable) click here.