Your Rights & Responsibilities as a tenant
All tenancy agreements will contain information about what is acceptable behaviour by you or your visitors while living in your flat or house, and what the results are if you break those conditions. The agreement should also make it clear that your landlord needs to give you notice if they wish to enter your home to carry out inspections or repairs.
If you want to give up your tenancy you will normally have to give your landlord written notice. This can be complicated - for example you may decide you want to leave but you have signed up to a tenancy for 12 months - you will need to get advice!
Your tenancy agreement should also tell you what notice the Landlord must give you if they want you to leave. Most private rented tenancies are Assured Shortholds and there are special rules that landlords have to follow when they want to end your tenancy.
If your landlord gives you written notice or simply just tells you that you have to leave, seek advice immediately!
Landlords cannot just put you out or change the locks
- This is NOT legal.
Board and Lodgings is like private rented accommodation except:
You are living in shared accommodation with the landlord and maybe their family. It will be easier for your landlord to evict you if you are a lodger so always get advice if your landlord gives you notice. You will also need to get advice if you claim housing benefit as it will not cover some of the costs of your accommodation.
Bed & Breakfast accommodation will also vary. The rules while you are staying there can be limiting, for example times you may have to be in by or the number of guests at any one time. In some places you have to leave your room after breakfast and not return until early evening. You may also need to give over some money on arrival.
Bed and breakfasts are usually share facilities (for example kitchens or toilets). The cost for staying there will include money for meals and other “services” and usually need money up-front. Housing benefit will not cover this part of the rent - GET ADVICE!
All gas, electric and water companies offer different ways of paying for their services, such as monthly payment plans or keycard meters, to help you choose which alternative fits in with your lifestyle.
Ask around and don’t be afraid to ask them for help if you find the way of payment you’ve chosen isn’t working for you, or if you fall into debt. Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau to discuss different ways of paying your bills and to get money advice if you are having problems.
