Renting a Property as a Tenant

All tenants in rented property have rights. If you are renting, it’s important you know what yours are.  Every tenancy agreement will differ, but all Landlords have certain legal responsibilities to you. If you feel you are not being treated fairly, talk to our team of expert property and tenancy lawyers for some friendly advice.

We recognise that often tenancy or housing issue isn’t a problem in isolation – problems with unemployment, finances, illness or disability all too often play a part. Knowing your rights and taking the correct legal advice at times like these can prevent a problem turning into a crisis.

We know that often tenants try to resolve a problem with their Landlord directly in the first instance, but when that fails and the situation becomes serious, you need a lawyer who can act swiftly and decisively. At Ashworth Law, that’s exactly how we work.

We’ll explain what right and responsibilities you have as the tenant, and explain the options you have for the particular issue you face. We can negotiate with your landlord and even represent you in court should things go that far.

The Right to Privacy
Your landlord is not allowed to enter your home without 24 hours notice. He or she is not allowed to interfere with your utility supplies like gas, electricity and water. Your Landlord cannot turn up out of the blue and expect to be able to enter your home. Of course you can choose to let them in, but you don’t have to without 24 hours notice.

The Protection from Harassment Act was created in 1997 to protect tenants in the event that a landlord interferes with your peace and comfort in your home, regularly tries to enter your home or tries to gain leverage over you for example by disconnecting your electricity or water.

The Right to Live in a Habitable Home
If you rent a home, it’s your Landlord’s legal responsibility to make sure it is safe and free from defects. Electrical equipment and systems must be certified by an electrician, and the gas must adhere to regulatory standards which includes passing an inspection every year.
The Landlord must also make sure your home is free from defects – if maintenance work is needed to make the property safe and habitable, it is his responsibility to do this, not yours.

The Right to Have Your Deposit Returned
When you move out, you have the right to your Deposit back, assuming you have left the property in a reasonable condition and all bills and the like have been paid up to date. Your landlord should return your deposit within 30 days.

The Right to a Period of Notice
The Landlord’s circumstances may change and he or she may to take possession of the flat, ending your tenancy. The Landlord has the right to do this assuming you do not have an contract for a specific time period (most standard tenancy agreements, known as ‘Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements’ specify a set time for the tenancy – usually six months – and then the tenancy agreement falls into a month by month agreement.) If the landlord wishes to end the agreement, you must be given sufficient notice – typically around 8 weeks. Under the Protection of Eviction act, you landlord is not allowed to:
 
•    Evict you without a sufficiently long notice perid
•    Evict you without giving you notice in writing
•    Change the locks on your doors without your agreement

We can help!
If your landlord is acting unreasonably, you may wish to check your rights – call us today on 01423 534500 to speak to one of our experts who can advise you on the right course of action.