This page offers advice on what is your responsibility and what is the responsibility of your landlord. When starting a new tenancy you should read through your tenancy agreement thoroughly and discuss any points of confusion with your landlord.
Tenant responsibilities include:
- Paying your rent on time.
- Reporting any repairs that are needed to the landlord.
- Allowing access for repairs and inspections.
- Disposing of and storing any rubbish correctly.
- Completing minor repairs including changing lightbulbs and fuses.
- Ending your tenancy correctly, including giving the correct amount of notice if you wish to end your tenancy.
Remember that you can be held accountable for the behaviour of anyone who visits the property. If your landlord receives complaints regarding antisocial behaviour in the property then they may take steps to evict you.
Landlord responsibilities include:
- At the start of your tenancy your landlord must supply you with an EPC certificate, an Electrical Installation Report and a gas safety certificate (if applicable). If you are an existing tenant and were in occupation before 1st April 2021 then your landlord must supply you with an Electrical Installation Report. This is to ensure that the Electrical Installation in the property is safe.
- If you have an assured short hold tenancy that started or was renewed on or after 1 October 2015, your landlord should also provide you with a copy of the How to rent guide.
- If you are an assured shorthold tenant then your landlord must protect your deposit in a deposit protection scheme.
- Your landlord must arrange a gas safety inspection every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.