Tenants guide
Contents
Landlord responsibilities
When you become a new tenant, your landlord should provide you with a tenancy agreement. You should read this carefully before signing. It will define yours and the landlord’s responsibilities. It will detail the length of the tenancy, the amount of rent and when it is due. If you had a fixed term tenancy before the 1 of May, this will have automatically changed to an assured periodic tenancy. If your tenancy started on or after 1 May 2026, your tenancy will probably be an assured periodic tenancy. There are a few exceptions, such as if you live in purpose-built student accommodation or you have a tenancy with a long fixed term.
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.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 your landlord has new duties to provide you with information about your tenancy:
Government information sheet
If your tenancy began before 1 May your landlord must provide you with the Government’s Information Sheet explaining the changes to your tenancy. 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, 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.
If your landlord has not provided you with the relevant information, you can complete the form below to report it to us:
Report difficulties with your landlord
The landlord must provide:
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
- a gas safety certificate if there is gas at the property. This must be updated every 12 months. See more information about gas safety certificates
- an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) advising you on the likely costs of your energy bills, (unless you live in a House in Multiple Occupation) for more information see the GOV.UK Energy Performance Certificates
- working smoke alarms on every level of the property
- a carbon monoxide alarm in every room that contains a gas fire, gas wall heater, gas central heating boiler, open fire or a solid fuel burner
- contact details and an address where you can serve the required notice
- the Government’s How to Rent Guide
Page last reviewed: 22 April 2026
Thank you for your feedback.