As a tenant in a privately rented property, the tenancy agreement, signed by both you and your landlord, provides you with numerous rights. Tenants have the right to; Live in a safe property, in a good state of repair, have a deposit returned at the end of the tenancy (provided the terms of the tenancy are upheld), the right to challenge excessively high charges, to know the identity of your landlord, to be protected from unfair eviction. Furthermore, your landlord is unable to access the property without having given 24 hours' notice.
"Knowing what rights you have as a Tenant is crucial to stop exploitation by your Landlord"
Additionally, landlords must provide adequate means of fire escape in the property, provide at least one smoke alarm on every floor of the property, and provide a carbon monoxide detector in all rooms with a fireplace or stove. If your property is an HMO (House of multiple occupation) where common areas exist for multiple sets of tenants, the landlord must provide a fire extinguisher.
Repairs to the property often lead to disagreements with landlords. Landlords are responsible for most major repairs to the property, including the structure of the property, the sinks, baths and toilets, heating and hot water and the safety of gas and electrical appliances. The tenant is responsible for taking care of the property and must pay for any damage caused. Additionally, tenants must pay their rent on time, even during a dispute.
Damp and mould are an issue that often affects students, the national student accommodation survey found that around 40% of students live in properties with dampness and mould. If the growth of mould or dampness is caused by lack of ventilation or condensation due to the tenants, that is their responsibility to fix, however, if the problem is structural, due to lack of insulation, broken heating, or issues with pipes, this is the Landlords responsibility to fix.
The Renters Rights Bill 2024, introduced by Angela Rayner, once enacted, will provide greater rights to tenants, including abolishing unfair section 21 evictions and providing protections against backdoor evictions. The Bill will also allow for strengthened rights to request a pet on the property.
Landlords and letting agencies often take advantage of a lack of knowledge and leave students stranded without support. If you need help understanding your tenancy rights or if you require guidance regarding concerns, please contact the Student Advice Centre.
