Your responsibilities
You should not breach the terms of your tenancy agreement as you could then lose your home.
You will also be expected to:
- pay your rent on time
- report any anti-social behaviour issues to the landlord
- tell the landlord about any repairs
- not allow the property to become overcrowded
- not cause nuisance to neighbours by you or your guests
- keep all gardens, balconies and communal areas tidy and free from rubbish.
Tenancy agreement
A tenancy agreement is a contract between you and your landlord that agrees the legal terms and conditions of your tenancy. The agreement protects you and the landlord.
The agreement should contain:
- The type of agreement - check the type of tenancy, usually they are periodic assured tenancies. In some shared houses or living in a landlord's home it may be a licence to let or a lodger's agreement, but these have far fewer rights than a tenancy. If you rent an entire dwelling or live in a room and share other facilities (bathroom and/or kitchen) but where the landlord is not resident then it is likely that you will be a tenant, not a licensee or lodger.
- The landlord's name and contact details and your name as the tenant
- The property's address
- Rules on rent including the date when it should be paid and arrangements to review it
- Who must pay the gas, electric, water and Council Tax bills
- The deposit amount and the conditions for withholding for damages
- How any repairs will be organised
If you feel confused by what you read you can get help from the Citizens Advice Bureau.
