Private landlord responsibilities
The law is changing
The Renters' Rights Act becomes law this autumn.
It means big changes for most private renters next year.
How your tenancy rights will change in 2026.
For now, your rights stay the same.
Who this page is for
Most responsibilities on this page only apply if your landlord lives somewhere else.
Some responsibilities only apply if you have an assured shorthold tenancy (AST).
This is the most common type of private tenancy.
If you share a home with your landlord, you're a lodger and have fewer rights.
Read about your landlord's responsibilities if you're a lodger.
Repairs
Your landlord is responsible for most repairs.
If your landlord needs to come in to check the property they should:
give at least 24 hours' notice in writing
speak to you about a time to visit
More on landlord access for repairs.
Health and safety
Your landlord must:
put smoke alarms on each floor
arrange yearly gas safety checks
put carbon monoxide detectors in rooms with a coal fire or wood burning stove
Rent and rent increases
Your landlord must tell you when and how your rent should be paid.
If you pay your rent weekly, your landlord must give you a rent book.
Your landlord can suggest a rent increase at any time. If you do not agree to it, they might take steps to evict you. But they must follow the legal process.
Utility bills and council tax
Your tenancy agreement should be clear if the rent includes utility bills or council tax.
Your landlord is often responsible for these things if you rent a room in a shared house.
More about:
Right to rent checks
Private landlords and agents must check you 'right to rent' before offering you a tenancy.
You have the right to rent if you have a right to live in the UK.
More on right to rent checks.
Landlords cannot charge fees for this or other checks.
Documents before your tenancy starts
Your landlord must give you:
an energy performance certificate (EPC)
a gas safety certificate if your home has gas appliances
Most landlords are banned from renting out a home with an EPC rating of F or G.
Your landlord must also give you a copy of the GOV.UK How to rent guide if:
your AST started on or after 1 October 2015
you signed a renewal agreement on or after this date
Your landlord does not need to give you a written tenancy agreement.
But most tenants do get a contract at the start of the tenancy.
Tenancy deposits
Your landlord cannot usually take more than 5 weeks' rent as a deposit.
This applies to all tenancies including if you are a lodger or live in university halls of residence.
If you have an AST, your landlord must:
protect your deposit with a scheme
give you information about the scheme
More on tenancy deposit protection.
Your landlord must usually give your deposit back when your tenancy ends.
Find out when a landlord might keep your deposit.
Letting you enjoy your home
Landlords must let you live in your home without disturbing you.
This is called the 'right to quiet enjoyment'.
Your landlord should not come into your home unless you agree.
Your landlord should not harass you or make it hard for you to live in your home.
More on your tenancy rights.
Eviction
Your landlord must take these 3 steps:
give you a notice
apply to court if you stay after your notice period ends
wait for bailiffs to evict you if the court orders this
It could be an illegal eviction if your landlord does not do these things.
More on:
Last updated: 8 October 2025
