Advice for private tenants

We have legal powers to make sure your living accommodation is up to standard. This page contains information on:

• Standard of accommodation tenants can expect from a private landlord
• What can be done if tenants don't get what they are entitled to
• The responsibilities of tenants to their landlords.

Accommodation standards

The law says all homes must be fit to live in and maintained in a reasonable state of repair.

If any of these problems occur, it is likely your home doesn't come up to this standard:

• Leaking roofs or gutters
• Rotten doors or window frames
• Dampness
• Dangerous or broken electrical wiring
• Dangerous or broken gas appliances
• No inside bathroom/toilet, kitchen sink, wash hand basin
• No hot and cold running water
• General disrepair.

In shared accommodation there are additional standards, which mean tenants should have:

• Access to cooking facilities
• Access to a bathroom and separate toilet
• The property should have a satisfactory means of escape from fire
• The house itself should be properly managed.

What can be done if you don't get what you're entitled to?

• We'll check your accommodation
• We'll serve a legal notice on the owner requiring them to carry out repairs within a fixed time
• We'll check to make sure all the repairs are carried out
• And we can do the works and charge the landlord if the repairs aren't made in good time.

The responsibilities of tenants to their landlords

• Pay the rent on time
• Do not cause damage to the property
• Do not interfere with the peaceful occupation of other tenants or neighbours
• Allow the landlord/agent access at reasonable times (with your permission)
• Do not sublet or take in lodgers if you're not allowed to
• If you wish to leave, to give written notice as per your contract to your landlord.