Your Rights

Your landlord is responsible for...

• Keeping in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling house, including drains, gutters, and external pipes
• Keeping in repair and proper working order the installations for the supply of water, gas, and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences) and for heating rooms and heating water
• Providing a rent book if statute so requires (e.g. where the rent is paid weekly)
• Providing you with the landlord or agent's full name and address
• Providing you with a copy of the valid current Gas Safety Certificate (see Standards)
• Allowing you to "peacefully enjoy" your accommodation (unless there is an emergency)
• Landlords should give prior warning of at least 24 hours to the tenant when they wish to enter the property to carry out legitimate maintenance checks and repairs.

You are responsible for...

• Acting in a "Tenant-like manner". This means you should perform the smaller tasks around the house such as replacing light bulbs, unblocking the sink when blocked with waste, clean the windows when necessary
• Not damaging the house, if you do then you and your guests are responsible for the repairs
• Refuse collection! Remember to put the wheelie bin out - and to bring it back in again - it's illegal to leave it on the street
• Securing the property when you go away - lock all doors and windows!
• Being reasonable about noise and parties - weekends are better - and let your neighbours know in advance
• Reporting all repairs needed to the Landlord (preferably in writing). The landlord's responsibility to repair begins only when they are aware of the disrepair. If the fault is not corrected within a reasonable period of time (dependent upon the nature of the disrepair) then seek advice from the Students Union Advice Centre.

Harassment and Unlawful Eviction

If your landlord wants you to leave your house then a legal process must be complied with before you can be evicted.

This will include written notice and applying to the Court for a possession order.

If you are evicted without the landlord following the correct process then the landlord is committing a criminal offence.

In addition, if the landlord (or someone acting on his or her behalf) interferes with your peace or comfort either with unannounced visits, by not fulfilling his/her responsibilities for basic repairs (as listed above) disconnecting utility supplies etc. then this may amount to harassment which is a criminal offence.

If you are in danger of eviction or suffering from harassment by your landlord then contact the Student Union Advice Centre, your local Council's Housing Advice Team, or your Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Team.

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