Tenants guide

Contents

• Overview
• Fees and upfront costs 
• Help with your rent 
• Tenant responsibilities 
• Landlord responsibilities 
• Difficulties with your landlord
• Rent arrears 
• Housing standards
  
• Ending your tenancy 
• Eviction

Landlord responsibilities

When you become a new tenant your landlord should provide you with a tenancy agreement. You should read this carefully before signing. It will define yours and the landlord’s responsibilities. It will detail the length of the tenancy, the amount of rent and when it is due.

If you are not given a tenancy agreement you should have a statement of tenancy terms.

The landlord must provide:

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• a gas safety certificate if there is gas at the property. This must be updated every 12 months. See more information about gas safety certificates
• an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) advising you on the likely costs of your energy bills, (unless you live in a House in Multiple Occupation) for more information see the GOV.UK Energy Performance Certificates
• working smoke alarms on every level of the property
• a carbon monoxide alarm in every room that contains a gas fire, gas wall heater, gas central heating boiler, open fire or a solid fuel burner
• contact details and an address where you can serve the required notice

Previous Tenant responsibilities

Next Difficulties with your landlord

Page last reviewed: 27 June 2024