Rights and responsibilities of tenants
A tenancy agreement is a contract between a landlord and a tenant - it outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
Everyone living in rented accommodation has the right to a warm, safe and healthy home, free from health and safety hazards.
To achieve this, your landlord should:
- provide you with all ‘start of tenancy’ paperwork - this includes a copy of the How to rent guide, a Gas Safety Certificate (where gas is supplied to the property), information about which tenancy deposit protection scheme your deposit has been protected with and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- ensure that your home has working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- maintain the exterior and structure of your home and maintain any appliances and furniture they have supplied
- carry out repairs in a timely manner and arrange an annual safety check for any gas appliances
As a tenant you are responsible for:
- paying your rent on time and paying any other bills associated with your home, as outlined in your tenancy agreement
- looking after your home including reporting repairs and carrying out minor maintenance
- being considerate to your neighbours
- not taking in a lodger (unless your tenancy agreement says you can do this)
- testing any smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home
If you breach your tenancy agreement, your landlord may be able to take legal steps to evict you.