Private landlord responsibilities
This page is for private renters with assured tenancies.
Most private renters have an assured tenancy.
You have fewer rights if you are a lodger.
Repairs
Your landlord is responsible for most repairs.
If your landlord needs 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 can only increase the rent once a year.
They 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.
Utility bills and council tax
Your tenancy agreement must say if your rent includes utility bills or council tax.
Your landlord is often responsible for utility bills and council tax if you rent a room in a shared house.
More about:
Right to rent checks
Private landlords and agents must check you have the 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 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.
Tenancy agreements
Your landlord must give you a tenancy agreement or written information about your tenancy before it starts.
Your landlord must give you a tenancy information sheet if you signed an assured shorthold tenancy before 1 May 2026.
Tenancy deposits
Your landlord cannot take more than 5 weeks' rent as a deposit.
This applies to all tenancies including lodgers or if you live in university halls of residence.
If you have an assured tenancy 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 for an order to evict you if you stay after your notice period ends
wait for bailiffs to evict you if the court orders it
It could be an illegal eviction if your landlord does not do these things.
More on:
Last updated: 1 May 2026
