Managing a tenancy - information for landlords

Contents

• How it works
• Starting a tenancy
• During a tenancy
• Ending a tenancy and eviction 
• Support for landlords
• Local authority enforcement

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During a tenancy

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 provides additional rights for private rent tenants and places a duty on us to investigate and enforce action against landlords and letting agents who do not comply with the new law. You can find out more about the Renters' Rights Act on the Government’s Housing Hub.    

Managing a property

Landlords have a legal responsibility to keep their rented properties in good repair, safe and free from health hazards, and fit to rent for human habitation.

Further details on managing a property can be found on the managing a property guide.

Rent increases

For assured periodic tenancies, you will only be able to increase the rent once a year. You will not be able to increase the rent in the first year of the tenancy. You must use Form 4a and you will need to give notice to your tenant by giving them the completed form at least 2 months before you want the rent increase to start.

If your tenant thinks the rent increase is higher than the open market rate, they will be able to ask the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to decide what the new rent amount should be. 

Tenants right to enjoy their home

You should allow your tenants to enjoy their home without unnecessary interference. You should not let yourself into the property without fair and reasonable notice or good reason and never without permission.

You should not make it difficult for people to live comfortably. If you do not allow someone the right to live in peace and comfort, you could be accused of harassment.

Unlawful eviction and harassment

Harassment is defined in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 as:

• acts likely to interfere with the peace and comfort of those living in the property, or
• persistent withdrawal of services that are reasonably required for the occupation of the property

These behaviours by a landlord or agent is considered harassment:

• making threats to persuade a tenant to leave
• cutting off services such as gas, electricity, or water
• entering a tenant’s room without permission
• not carrying out or completing essential repairs, demand to carry out excessive repairs
• anti-social conduct by the landlord/agent
• physical violence
• verbal abuse
• withholding keys
• changing locks
• removing belongings
• visiting at unsociable hours
• constant telephone calls or text messages

We are committed to ensuring high standards of private rented accommodation is provided in the borough. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 places a duty on us to investigate and enforce cases of unlawful eviction and/or harassment which could result in prosecution or a Civil Penalty.

Tenants experiencing domestic abuse

Often as a landlord you are in a unique position to identify that one of your tenants may be experiencing domestic abuse. If this is the case and you are worried about the safety of your tenant, you could advise them to contact our Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub.

To help you understand what we can do to support victim/ survivors of domestic abuse, take a look at our domestic abuse customer policy (PDF, 336KB)

Your other options might be to contact the police on 101 for advice or on 999 if there is an emergency where you feel someone is immediately at risk. 

Abuse can take different forms, often abuse can be emotional, financial rather than violent.

You can support your tenants by encouraging them to seek help and working with agencies to consider how you might help them to stay safe if the abuser is encouraged to move out. Supporting the installation of cameras or video doorbells on the home could be one of the ways you could help.