Private tenancy agreements
This guide is for private assured tenants.
From 1 May 2026 most renters have this tenancy type.
Check your tenancy type if you need to.
Rent, bills and council tax
Your tenancy agreement or written information from your landlord must say:
how much rent you must pay
when to pay your rent
Your rent period
Your rent period cannot be more than 1 month.
For example, your agreement might say you have to pay rent either:
on the same date each month
on the same day each week
every 4 weeks
Most tenants pay rent on the first day of the rent period for the month ahead.
You need to ask your landlord if you want to change the date you pay rent.
Example: How to agree to pay rent on a different day
Your tenancy agreement says you have to pay your rent on the 1st of every month.
You ask to start paying on the 15th of the month because that is when you get paid.
Make sure you get any agreement in writing.
Rent increases
Your rent can only go up once a year.
Your landlord has to give you a legal notice called a 'section 13 notice'.
Your agreement might say your landlord can increase your rent in a different way. This is sometimes called a 'rent review clause'. These clauses cannot be used from 1 May 2026.
More on rent increases for private tenants.
If your bills are included
Your landlord must tell you about any bills included in your rent.
For example:
council tax
electricity, gas or water
TV licence
phone, internet or television
Your tenancy agreement or written information should tell you if these payments are:
part of your rent
a separate payment to your landlord
If you pay the amount separately, the agreement must tell you when and how much you pay.
You cannot be charged more for gas and electricity than your landlord pays to the supplier.
Energy costs and limits on usage
If you pay bills as a part of your rent, check your contract for things like:
limits on how much energy or water you can use
what happens if you go over these limits
if the landlord can increase your rent if energy costs go up
Limits on energy and water use are sometimes called 'fair usage clauses'.
If your agreement does not mention bills
You are probably responsible for paying bills yourself.
You need to set up your own accounts with water and energy companies.
Council tax
Council tax is money you pay to your local council each month for things like rubbish collection.
Usually, a tenant is responsible for paying council tax.
Citizens Advice has more on paying council tax.
Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
Your landlord is usually responsible for council tax if you live in an HMO. For example, you rent a room in a shared house where everyone has their own tenancy agreement.
You do not normally have to pay council tax in a student house share.
Ask the council tax team at your local council if either:
you get a bill which is not your responsibility
your tenancy agreement says you are responsible
Last updated: 1 May 2026
