During Your Tenancy
Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Tenant
Living in a rented property comes with important rights and responsibilities. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, tenants in England benefit from greater security and clearer protections.
Our guide helps you understand what to expect during your tenancy, from paying rent and maintaining your home to requesting repairs and resolving concerns.
Know Your Rights as a Tenant
As a private tenant, you have legal rights designed to ensure your home is safe, secure and properly maintained.
A Safe Home
Your landlord must meet relevant property safety and maintenance requirements.
Privacy and Security
You have the right to live in your home without unreasonable interference.
Essential Repairs
Your landlord is responsible for certain repairs and essential installations.
Legal Protection
Your landlord must follow the proper legal process when seeking possession.
Looking After Your Rented Home
Tenants are expected to take reasonable care of their rented property and meet their tenancy obligations.
Your main responsibilities include:
Paying Rent: Make rental payments on the agreed dates.
Property Care: Keep your home reasonably clean and avoid unnecessary damage.
Reporting Problems: Inform your landlord or letting agent when repairs are needed.
Paying Bills: Pay utilities, council tax and other charges you’re responsible for.
Respecting Neighbours: Avoid antisocial behaviour and unnecessary disturbance.
Meeting these responsibilities helps maintain a positive relationship with your landlord.
Understanding Your Rent
Rent should be paid on the date agreed in your tenancy agreement, whether weekly or monthly.
Under the new rules for assured periodic tenancies:
Landlords cannot increase rent during the first year of a tenancy.
Rent can generally be increased only once a year.
Landlords must provide at least two months’ notice using the correct legal form.
Tenants can challenge proposed rent increases above market value.
These protections help ensure rent increases follow a fair and transparent process.
Keeping Your Home Safe and Well Maintained
Your landlord is responsible for ensuring the property meets the relevant safety standards and for carrying out essential repairs.
These generally include:
Structural repairs, including roofs, walls and windows.
Heating and hot water systems.
Plumbing, sinks, baths and drainage.
Gas and electrical installations.
Tenants should report maintenance problems promptly and allow reasonable access for inspections or repairs. Landlords must generally provide at least 24 hours’ notice before visiting, except in emergencies.
Keeping Pets in Your Rented Home
Tenants can request permission to keep a pet. Landlords must consider requests fairly and cannot refuse without a reasonable reason.
Requests should be made in writing, and landlords generally have 28 days to respond.
Your Right to Privacy
Your landlord must respect your right to live peacefully in the property.
For routine inspections and repairs, landlords should arrange visits at reasonable times and provide the required notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Landlords must generally give at least 24 hours’ notice and visit at a reasonable time, except in emergencies.
Landlords are generally responsible for essential repairs. Tenants may be responsible for damage caused by themselves or their visitors.
Yes, but they must follow the statutory rent increase procedure and applicable notice requirements.
Yes, but increases must follow the applicable legal process, including the notice requirements introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act.
Report the problem in writing and keep records. If it remains unresolved, you can contact your local council for advice and assistance.
Need More Information About Your Tenancy?
Understanding your rights and responsibilities can help make renting a safer, more comfortable experience.
Whether you have questions about rent payments, property repairs or your rights as a tenant, getting the right information is important.
For further information, refer to the official GOV.UK Private Renting Guidance or During Your Tenancy – Guide 2 (PDF).