Tenant Rights
When you are living in rented accommodation you are living in a property owned by someone else, therefore you must respect the rights your landlord has over you but you must also make sure you are not taken for a ride. You, as a tenant, also have a number of rights and you can pursue legal action should you landlord fail to respect them.
A tenant's rights are as follows:
1. You should be able to know your landlord's name and where they live.
2. The landlord should ensure your home does not fall into disrepair and must repair any defects in the property that they are responsible for by law in a within a reasonable timescale. Your landlord is responsible for the outside of the property (e.g. the roof and gutters), the heating, electrics and gas and for repairing any damage which occurs when a worker enters the property to complete repairs.
3. The landlord should not enter the property unnecessarily and without reasonable notice.
4. The property should be safe to live in. So for furnished properties this means all furniture should be fireproofed, the structure of the building should be safe, electrical equipment should be tested, all gas appliances should be CORGI tested and any necessary fire prevention equipment and devices should be provided and tested regularly.
5. You should have a copy of your tenancy agreement and understand what is included within it.
6. If your landlord requires you to vacate the property, you must have a fair amount of notice.
7. If you have adhered to the terms of your tenancy, paid rent on time and you have not caused any damage to the property your landlord is legally bound to return you deposit to you in full within 30 days of you vacating the property.
If you feel that your landlord is not respecting your rights as a tenant, you may feel vulnerable. Don't worry though, help is available. The Citizen's Advice Bureau can give you advice if you are involved in a housing dispute and housing solicitors will be able to help you with the legal aspect of a housing dispute should you be unable to resolve the issue outside of the courts. Contact a solicitor who specialises in landlord and tenant rights today if you feel that your dispute is getting out of hand, or you simply need some legal guidance. Many firms offer a free enquiry service so you can discuss your situation and your options.
A tenant's rights are as follows:
1. You should be able to know your landlord's name and where they live.
2. The landlord should ensure your home does not fall into disrepair and must repair any defects in the property that they are responsible for by law in a within a reasonable timescale. Your landlord is responsible for the outside of the property (e.g. the roof and gutters), the heating, electrics and gas and for repairing any damage which occurs when a worker enters the property to complete repairs.
3. The landlord should not enter the property unnecessarily and without reasonable notice.
4. The property should be safe to live in. So for furnished properties this means all furniture should be fireproofed, the structure of the building should be safe, electrical equipment should be tested, all gas appliances should be CORGI tested and any necessary fire prevention equipment and devices should be provided and tested regularly.
5. You should have a copy of your tenancy agreement and understand what is included within it.
6. If your landlord requires you to vacate the property, you must have a fair amount of notice.
7. If you have adhered to the terms of your tenancy, paid rent on time and you have not caused any damage to the property your landlord is legally bound to return you deposit to you in full within 30 days of you vacating the property.
If you feel that your landlord is not respecting your rights as a tenant, you may feel vulnerable. Don't worry though, help is available. The Citizen's Advice Bureau can give you advice if you are involved in a housing dispute and housing solicitors will be able to help you with the legal aspect of a housing dispute should you be unable to resolve the issue outside of the courts. Contact a solicitor who specialises in landlord and tenant rights today if you feel that your dispute is getting out of hand, or you simply need some legal guidance. Many firms offer a free enquiry service so you can discuss your situation and your options.
Source...