Managing a tenancy - information for landlords

During a tenancy

Managing a property

Landlords have a legal responsibility to keep their rented properties in good repair, safe and free from health hazards, and fit to rent for human habitation.

Further details on managing a property can be found on the managing a property guide.

Rent increases

Your tenancy agreement should include how and when you’ll review the rent.

For a periodic tenancy (rolling on a week-by-week or month-by-month basis) you can usually only increase the rent once a year.

For a fixed-term tenancy (running for a set period) you can only increase the rent if your tenancy agreement permits this. Otherwise, you can only raise the rent when the fixed term ends.

Any increases in rent must be fair and realistic - that is, in line with reasonable rents on the open market.

Tenants right to enjoy their home

You should allow your tenants to enjoy their home without unnecessary interference. You should not let yourself into the property without fair and reasonable notice or good reason and never without permission.

You should not make it difficult for people to live comfortably. If you do not allow someone the right to live in peace and comfort, you could be accused of harassment.

Unlawful eviction and harassment

Harassment is defined in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 as:

acts likely to interfere with the peace and comfort of those living in the property, or
persistent withdrawal of services that are reasonably required for the occupation of the property

These behaviours by a landlord or agent is considered harassment:

making threats to persuade a tenant to leave
cutting off services such as gas, electricity, or water
entering a tenant’s room without permission
not carrying out or completing essential repairs, demand to carry out excessive repairs
anti-social conduct by the landlord/agent
physical violence
verbal abuse
withholding keys
changing locks
removing belongings
visiting at unsociable hours
constant telephone calls or text messages

We are committed to ensuring high standards of private rented accommodation is provided in the borough. We are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any case of unlawful eviction and/or harassment is investigated. If it is appropriate, any necessary action is taken, including prosecution.

For further details refer to CEC Unlawful Eviction and Harassment Policy (PDF, 270KB) for Private Rented Sector Housing.

Tenants experiencing domestic abuse

Often as a landlord you are in a unique position to identify that one of your tenants may be experiencing domestic abuse. If this is the case and you are worried about the safety of your tenant, you could advise them to contact our Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub.

To help you understand what we can do to support victim/ survivors of domestic abuse, take a look at our domestic abuse customer policy (PDF, 336KB)

Your other options might be to contact the police on 101 for advice or on 999 if there is an emergency where you feel someone is immediately at risk.

Abuse can take different forms, often abuse can be emotional, financial rather than violent.

You can support your tenants by encouraging them to seek help and working with agencies to consider how you might help them to stay safe if the abuser is encouraged to move out. Supporting the installation of cameras or video doorbells on the home could be one of the ways you could help.

Domestic abuse customer policy (PDF, 336KB)