Advice for private tenants

Your rights and responsibilities

As a tenant of a private landlord you have a number of rights and responsibilities. It is important you stick to the rules and don't break your tenancy agreement.

Landlords

Private landlords have a number of legal responsibilities towards you:

• They must issue you with a tenancy agreement and Tenant Information Pack when your tenancy begins
• They cannot evict you without issuing you with the correct paperwork
• They must make repairs to your home
• They cannot refuse reasonable requests for adaptations

If you have a tied tenancy (a tenancy linked to your employment) your rights may differ depending on the nature of your employment and accommodation. Follow this Shelter Link for more information and help finding out what rights you have.

Remember, even if you have a tied tenancy your landlord cannot evict you without the correct paperwork.