Pay your rent on time

• Pay the agreed amount, on the agreed date

• Follow the payment method in your tenancy agreement

• Late or missed rent can lead to eviction

Look after the property

• Keep it clean and tidy

• Avoid damage (beyond normal wear and tear)

• Use fixtures (heating, appliances, plumbing) correctly

👉 Example: A worn carpet = OK. A broken window from misuse = your responsibility.

Report repairs and issues

• Tell your landlord or agent about problems quickly

• This includes leaks, damp, broken heating, etc.

• If you delay reporting, you could be responsible for worsening damage

Allow access for inspections and repairs

Your landlord must give at least 24 hours’ notice, but you should:

• Allow reasonable access for repairs, safety checks or inspections

Follow the tenancy agreement

This is the contract you signed. Common rules include:

• No subletting without permission

• Not running a business from the property

• Restrictions on smoking

• Restrictions on pets in certain circumstances, for example where a head lease in an apartment block prevents it

Respect neighbours

You’re responsible for your behaviour and your guests:

• No excessive noise (especially at night)

• No anti-social behaviour

Serious breaches can involve the local authority or police.

Pay bills (if you’re responsible)

Depending on your agreement, you may need to pay:

• Council Tax

• Gas, electricity, water

• TV licence

  Check your contract to confirm.

 Keep the property secure

• Lock doors and windows when leaving

• Take reasonable steps to prevent burglary

• Inform landlord if locks or security are faulty

 Don’t make changes without permission

You usually cannot:

• Decorate

• Install fixtures (e.g. shelves, satellite dishes)

• Alter the property

…unless your landlord agrees in writing.

End the tenancy properly

• Give correct notice

• Leave the property clean

• Return all keys

• Remove your belongings

Failing to do this can affect your deposit return.

Keep the property safe and in good repair

Landlords must:

• Maintain the structure (walls, roof, windows, doors)

• Keep plumbing, heating, and electrics working

• Fix issues like damp, mould, or leaks

Protect your deposit

If you pay a deposit, it must be:

• Placed in a government-approved scheme within 30 days

• Accompanied by “prescribed information” explaining where it’s held

Carry out safety checks

Landlords must ensure:

Gas safety

• Annual check by a qualified engineer

• Provide you with a Gas Safety Certificate

Electrical safety

• Electrical installation checked at least every 5 years

• Give you a report (EICR)

Fire safety

• Smoke alarms on every floor

• Carbon monoxide alarms where required

Provide key documents

At the start of a tenancy, you should receive:

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

• Gas Safety Certificate (if applicable)

• Electrical installation report (EICR)

Ensure the property is fit to live in

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, the property must be:

• Safe

• Free from serious hazards

• Suitable for living throughout the tenancy

Respect your right to quiet enjoyment

This means:

• They cannot enter whenever they want

• Must give at least 24 hours’ notice (except emergencies)

• Cannot harass or pressure you

Harassment or illegal eviction is a criminal offense.

Handle eviction legally

Landlords must follow proper legal processes, usually under the Housing Act 1988:

• Serve correct notice

• Go through the courts if you don’t leave

Deal with repairs in a reasonable time

Once informed, landlords must:

• Act within a reasonable time frame

• Prioritise urgent issues (e.g. no heating in winter)

Follow licensing rules (if applicable)

Some properties must be licensed under the Housing Act 2004:

• HMOs (houses in multiple occupation)

• Certain properties in council-designated areas

Provide contact details

You must be given:

• The landlord’s name and address (or agent’s details)

You’ll be required to provide the equivalent of 5 weeks’ rent in order to secure your property. This must be paid upfront before you move into the property and your landlord or landlords agent is required to register the deposit with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme. This means that when you move out of the property, as long as all the terms of your agreement are met and there is no damage or outstanding bills that need to be paid, your full deposit will be paid back to you. However, if there are damages to the property or overdue rent or bills, this will be taken out of your deposit as payment. 

If you are in a fully managed property, you will talk directly to us. If your landlord manages the property you will report to them. All the contact information will be given to you at the start of your tenancy.

Firstly ensure that you and other occupiers are safe. In the event of fire, burglary or serious injury, call the emergency services on 999.

In the event of a suspect gas leak then call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999.

Please familiarise yourself with emergency exits from your property, and the location of the water stop valve. In the event of a burst pipe, turn off the water as quickly as possible.

Condensation treatment can be as simple as opening windows throughout the day, turning on extractor fans whilst cooking and showering, and drying clothes outside rather than inside. Minor condensation and black mould problems can be solved with simple lifestyle changes. Activities such as showering, cooking, drying clothes indoors, using the tumble dryer and even breathing release moisture into the air. Obviously these activities are essential - we all breathe - and fortunately their impact on your property can be minimised by increasing ventilation, using extractor fans and avoiding putting wet clothes on radiators. Tenants are responsible for correctly ventilating the property.

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Any change to the permanent occupancy of a property must be agreed with your landlord and 'Right to Rent' checks carried out.

No. You are not permitted to rent out a room under the terms of your agreement without permission from the landlord. Any person over 18 years of age living at the property must be named in the tenancy agreement as a permitted occupant and complete a 'Right to Rent' check.

A final inspection will be carried out by either the landlord or us as managing agent.

This checkout will record the condition of the property and make a comparison to the condition recorded when you moved in.  Make sure you leave the house clean and tidy, take meter readings for final accounts and return all of the property keys.

If there is anything you are worried about then talk to us or your landlord for guidance ahead of time.

Being a landlord is possibly a lot more complicated than you think.

Avoiding costly mistakes by taking professional, informed advice is by far the best way to make your landlord experience positive, profitable and compliant. 

Yes you can sell the property to another landlord during the term of the tenancy, but you cannot sell to an owner occupier as you would be unable to offer vacant possession. In order to sell with vacant possession, you will need to give your tenant the requisite notice.