Frequently Asked Questions
We or our agents may ask for identification, proof of income, references and information about your right to rent.
A tenancy deposit is money held as security against things such as unpaid rent or damage to the property. Where the tenancy deposit protection rules apply, we must protect the deposit in an approved scheme.
The Renters’ Rights Act introduced new rules concerning pets.
Tenants have a right to request permission to keep a pet, although landlords can refuse a request in certain circumstances.
A landlord can also require insurance or a payment to cover the risk of damage caused by a pet, subject to the rules.
If you want to keep a pet, make the request properly and in writing.
Your tenancy agreement should state when rent is due. If you are unsure, check your agreement or ask us or our letting agent.
Contact your landlord or agent as soon as possible. If you are struggling financially, don’t ignore the problem. Early communication may help you agree a repayment arrangement or find appropriate support.
Generally, no.
We or our letting agent should normally arrange access with you and provide reasonable notice, except where there is a genuine emergency or another legal basis for access.
Your right to live in your home without unreasonable interference continues to apply.
There isn’t one universal response time for every type of request. Urgent health and safety issues should be treated differently from routine queries. Your tenancy agreement or landlord’s management process may specify response times.
It depends on the cause of the infestation and the circumstances. Report the problem to us promptly so that responsibility can be established and appropriate action taken.
Speak to us before carrying out significant repairs or alterations. You could become responsible for the cost if you cause damage or carry out unauthorised work.
Before leaving, it is sensible to:
- Give the required notice in writing.
- Continue paying rent until your tenancy legally ends.
- Remove your belongings.
- Clean the property.
- Take photographs showing its condition.
- Take final meter readings where appropriate.
- Return all keys as agreed.
- Keep copies of relevant correspondence.
This can help avoid disputes about rent, damage and your deposit.
You should return the property in the condition required by your tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear. We generally cannot require you to pay for professional cleaning simply as an automatic requirement if that goes beyond what the law permits. This may be necessary in certain circumstances.
Fair wear and tear is the normal deterioration that occurs through reasonable use of a property over time.
For example, ordinary ageing of carpets, decoration or fixtures would not necessarily be considered tenant damage.
Tenants can generally be charged for damage that goes beyond reasonable wear and tear.
For an assured periodic tenancy, you can normally end your tenancy by giving us at
least 2 months’ written notice. Your notice should normally end on the day your rent is due or the day before.
Possibly, but it depends on your tenancy agreement and the law that applies to your tenancy. You may need our agreement, may have a break clause available, or may remain responsible for rent for a period after leaving. You and us can agree in writing to end the tenancy earlier or agree to a shorter notice period in certain circumstances or by agreement.
Contact us or our letting agent as soon as possible rather than ignoring the problem. You may also be able to get help with benefits, housing costs or debt. If you are at risk of losing your home, seek housing advice urgently.
A landlord cannot normally simply keep your deposit because you have moved out. Deductions may be possible for things such as unpaid rent or damage beyond reasonable wear and tear. Deposit protection and dispute-resolution rules vary across the UK.
When your tenancy ends, we as your landlord or our letting agent should arrange for your deposit to be returned, subject to any agreed deductions. If you disagree with a proposed deduction, you may be able to challenge it through the relevant tenancy deposit protection scheme or another dispute-resolution process.
From 1 May 2026, most private rented tenancies in England became assured periodic tenancies. This means your tenancy normally runs on a rolling basis rather than having a fixed end date.
The Act also ended the use of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions for new and existing assured tenancies.
For assured tenancies covered by the new rules, Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notices can no longer be used from 1 May 2026.
If we as your landlord wants to recover possession, we generally need to rely on a legal ground for possession and follow the correct procedure.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get help from your local council, Citizens Advice, Shelter or another housing advice organisation.
GOV.UK provides official guidance for private tenants in England. You can also seek advice from organisations such as Citizens Advice or Shelter.
It depends on the type of business, your tenancy agreement, planning requirements and any other applicable rules. Ask us before starting a business from the property if you are unsure.
Check the condition of the property, take photographs, test appliances where appropriate, record meter readings and report any existing damage or problems to us or our agent.
Yes. An inventory records the condition and contents of the property at the start of the tenancy. Check it carefully and tell us or our agent about anything that is inaccurate.
Responsibility for gas, electricity, water, broadband and other services depends on your tenancy agreement and the arrangement with your landlord. Check your contract carefully before assuming a bill is our responsibility.
In many private rentals, the tenant is responsible for council tax, although the rules can differ depending on the type of property and tenancy. Check your tenancy agreement and your local council’s guidance.
We are generally responsible for keeping the property in repair and meeting their legal obligations regarding the condition and safety of the property.
Tenants are generally responsible for looking after the property and reporting problems promptly.
Your tenancy agreement may also set out responsibilities for certain minor matters.
Report the problem to us or our letting agent immediately. If there is a serious risk to your health or safety, explain this clearly and seek appropriate advice if it is not dealt with promptly.
Report damp and mould as soon as you notice it, preferably in writing, with photographs. We may be responsible for addressing the underlying cause as well as the visible problem.
Some agreements prohibit alterations without permission, while we may be willing to approve reasonable changes in writing in certain circumstances.
Check your tenancy agreement first. Painting, putting up fixtures or making other alterations may require our permission.
Check your tenancy agreement and speak to us before changing locks. If you do change a lock, you may need to provide us with a replacement key where we have a lawful right of access.
Short-term guests are generally different from someone becoming a permanent occupier. Check your tenancy agreement if you are unsure, particularly if someone will be staying for an extended period.
Usually, no. Your home is your private space, and we or our letting agent should normally give you reasonable notice before entering, except in genuine emergencies. Your tenancy agreement may set out arrangements for inspections, repairs and other visits.
Rent arrears can potentially lead to eviction, but we generally have to follow the appropriate legal process. The exact process and protections depend on where you live, your tenancy type and the circumstances.
For an assured periodic tenancy, the notice requirements generally depend on the
tenancy and rent period. Under the Renters’ Rights Act changes, tenants will
generally need to give at least two months’ notice.
Your deposit should normally be returned after the tenancy ends, subject to any lawful deductions. If you disagree with deductions, you may be able to challenge them through your deposit protection scheme.
No. This is not permitted on any of our properties.
Rent increases are subject to rules that vary depending on where you live and the type of tenancy you have. We may also need to follow a specific procedure and give you the required notice. Check your tenancy agreement and the rules that apply in your part of the UK before agreeing to an increase.
The Renters’ Rights Act introduced changes to the grounds on which landlords can seek possession.
Examples include certain circumstances involving:
- Rent arrears or persistent rent non-payment
- Antisocial behaviour
- The landlord wanting to sell the property
- The landlord or certain family members wanting to move into the property
- Certain student accommodation circumstances
Different grounds have different requirements and notice periods.
Do not ignore it. Check what type of notice you have received and seek advice promptly if you do not understand it or disagree with it.
The government’s guidance on the Renters’ Rights Act provides information for tenants in England, including information about periodic tenancies, rent increases and possession.
Always check the current rules for your particular circumstances, as different rules can apply to certain types of accommodation and tenancy.
Try to resolve minor issues calmly where appropriate. For serious or persistent problems, keep a record of incidents and consider reporting them to your landlord, managing agent, local council or the relevant authority.
