Tenant options and rights in private rented accommodation
People who are looking for private rented accommodation must know what the landlords can require from them and how to protect their rights.
Private rented accommodation
Practicalities of finding and securing an appropriate private rented accommodation, including landlord requirements for tenants.
Renting rights for private tenants
Private tenants have rights in addition to those that are a consequence of their security of tenure, regardless of the type of their tenancy.
Right to rent landlord checks
Right to rent checks that private landlords, including people who sub-let or take in a lodger, must carry out on occupiers of their premises.
Help with housing costs
Sources of financial help to pay rent and deposits include nationally and locally administered benefits, assistance schemes and loans.
Guarantors
A landlord may require a guarantee before letting a property, with guarantor being liable for unpaid rent and damage to the property.
Unfair terms
Guidance on when a term of a tenancy may be unfair and not binding on a tenant, with the rest of a tenancy agreement continuing to have effect.
Unfair trading practices
Consumer protection law may provide a remedy if an unfair commercial practice has caused tenants to make decisions they would not otherwise have made.
Orders for landlords to repay rent
Orders requiring landlords or agents who has committed relevant offences to repay rent or housing benefit/universal credit.
Landlord banning orders
Application for banning orders at the discretion of local authorities, effect of a banning order and sanctions for breaching it.
Rogue landlord database
The rogue landlord database records landlords and agents that are subject to a banning order or have committed a banning order offence.
