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Rights and responsibilities in a private tenancy

Rights and responsibilities in a private tenancy

You have certain rights and responsibilities if you’re a tenant in privately rented property.

Your rights

As a tenant, you have the right to:

• live in a property that’s safe and in a good state of repair
• have your deposit returned when the tenancy ends - and in most circumstances have your deposit protected
• challenge excessively high charges
• know who your landlord is
• quiet enjoyment, which means the landlord must not visit the property or demand access to it without a good reason, such as carrying out repairs and inspections.
• see an Energy Performance Certificate for the property
• receive a copy of the Gas Safety certificate
• receive  a copy of the latest Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• be protected from illegal eviction and harassment, and only be evicted using the correct legal process.
• request permission to keep a pet, which cannot be unreasonably refused.
• challenge a rent increase through the First-tier Tribunal.

   
If you have a tenancy agreement, it should be fair and comply with the law.

If you do not know who your landlord is, write to the person or company you pay rent to. Your landlord can be fined If they do not give you this information within 21 days.

Your responsibilities

Your landlord may need access to inspect the property or carry out repairs. Except in an emergency, they should normally give you at least 24 hours’ notice and arrange a reasonable time to visit.

Your landlord must   give you at least 24 hours’ notice and visit at a reasonable time of day, unless it’s an emergency and they need immediate access.

You should also:

• take good care of the property, for example turn off the water at the mains if you’re away in cold weather
• pay the agreed rent, even if repairs are needed or you’re in dispute with your landlord
• pay other charges as agreed with the landlord, for example Council Tax or utility bills
• repair or pay for any damage caused by you, your family or friends
• only sublet a property if the tenancy agreement or your landlord allows it

Your landlord has the right to take legal action to evict you if you do not meet your responsibilities.
 

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

If you share a property with other tenants who are not part of your household, your landlord may be subject to Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMO) regulations. These are licenced by the council.

If so, your landlord must be able to show you that they have complied with the regulations and have an HMO licence.

Ask to see this before you move in. These regulations include checks to make sure the property is safe, for example from fire hazards, that it is not overcrowded and that there are enough facilities for cooking and washing. 

You can find out more information by clinking on the links below: 

• Private renting: Your rights and responsibilities - GOV.UK
• Landlord responsibilities for repairs - Shelter England
• Shelter Legal England - Rules for managing HMOs - Shelter England

Last updated 18 August 2026