Tenants have a number of rights and responsibilities connected to their tenancy agreement. Any tenant in a privately rented property should have a co-signed private rental agreement which is signed by them and the landlord or their representative. You should ensure that this happens before you move in.
Your tenancy agreement provides you with a number of rights that are protected under UK law. These include:
As a tenant you are basically being given permission to live in someone else’s property and as such you have certain responsibilities.
You should take care of the property, ensuring that you do not cause any damage and, if there are any problems, should make sure that you report them immediately to the landlord. Despite the fact that the property belongs to someone else, by signing a tenancy agreement you agree to treat the property with respect and care.
Tenants must also make sure that they pay their rent on time and that it is the correct amount. This should be the case even if you are waiting for repairs or are in dispute with your landlord. It’s also important to keep any other bills paid, such as council tax and TV Licence fees, unless directly stipulated in your lease.
You also have an obligation to not cause or indulge in any antisocial behaviour or criminal activity.
Sub-letting and pet ownership should only happen if your tenancy agreement states that you can do so and, if you breach either of these or any of the other responsibilities outlined above, could give your landlord the right to evict you.
If you are concerned that your landlord is impinging on your rights as a tenant, or are worried that you may be evicted, contact our legal team for advice.
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