Tenants guide
Contents
Difficulties with your landlord
We can negotiate with landlords to resolve disputes or misunderstandings. Quite often even when a landlord has served notice, there are ways in which we can help you to resolve issues so that you can remain in your family home.
We will consider:
- landlord / tenant mediation
- floating support referrals
- debt and finance management.
Preventing eviction by resolving disputes will always be our primary aim.
We need your full co-operation and permission before we can contact your landlord to discuss your circumstances. You can contact us if you need assistance with this.
You can also seek independent advice and support through:
- the complaining about your landlord pageon the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website.
- the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS). They provide government-funded legal advice and representation (legal aid) to people facing possession proceedings which could result in the loss of their homes. If somebody receives a notice that they are being evicted, or are being illegally evicted from their home, they will be eligible to receive this free legal assistance. To find nearby HLPAS providers, simply type your postcode and tick the box ‘Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service’ on the GOV.uk find a legal aid advisor or mediator page.
- The TDS Charitable Foundation have developed the My Housing Issue Gateway signposting tool. It is a guide to help private renters toward the right dispute resolution mechanism or service; a resource hub providing tailored information about housing rights and options; and a personal diagnostic tool to encourage early resolution of disputes, wherever possible. Information and signposting for social renters can also be found through the tool.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025
See our Tenants guide for information about how the Renters' Rights Act 2025 changes things.
You can find out more about the Renters' Rights Act on the Government’s Housing Hub.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 your landlord has new duties to provide you with information about your tenancy, and to offer the correct type of tenancy:
Information sheet
If your tenancy began before 1 May 2026 your landlord must provide you with the Government’s Information Sheet explaining the changes to your tenancy. They must provide this by 31 May 2026. Your landlord could receive a Civil Penalty Notice if they do not do this.
Written statement of terms
If your tenancy began on or after 1 May 2026, your landlord must have issued you with the Government's written statement of terms. Your landlord may have included this in your tenancy agreement. You can view the Written Statement of Terms to check if your landlord has provided it. Your landlord could receive a Civil Penalty Notice if they do not do this.
Type of tenancy
Your tenancy will most likely be an assured periodic tenancy. It is an offence for a landlord to use a fixed term agreement. There are a few exceptions, such as if you live in purpose-built student accommodation. Your landlord could receive a Civil Penalty Notice if they have not given you the correct tenancy.
If you have concerns relating to the type of tenancy or information you landlord has provided you can report them using the form below:
Report difficulties with your landlord
Rent increases
If your landlord has suggested an increase that you don't agree with, or is trying to raise the rent more frequently than annually you can apply to the First Tier Tribunal for Property to review the details.
Pets
If your landlord has refused permission for you to have a pet and you think the refusal is not reasonable, you can apply to the Court to review the decision.
Concerns about your property
If you are concerned about the condition of the property you live in, you can request a property inspection here:
Request a property inspection
The Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law do not yet apply to properties which are privately rented.
Page last reviewed: 22 April 2026
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