Your Rights & Responsibilities are contained within the scope of your rental contract (e.g. Assured Shorthold
Tenancy).
The majority of students will have Assured Shorthold Tenancies which give certain legal
rights,
but other rights and responsibilities may be added to your contract after discussion with the landlord.
If you are a member of a House of Multiple Occupancy (more than five tenants) you have additional rights as
your
landlord has to hold a valid license. For more information on HIMO’s go to https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting
Living with housemates?
Splitwise helps you split the bills between all housemates equally. See more at www.splitwise.com
Your Responsibilities
- Pay your rent on time
- Allow your landlord access to do repairs etc (normally with 24 hour notice of his arrival)
- Avoid causing nuisance or disturbance to other people within your community
- Report repairs which need to be carried out
- Take care of the property and its furniture, fixtures and fittings
- Ensure there is a Gas Safety Certificate for the property
- Request a current Electrical Safety Certificate
- Ensure the property is fire safe
- Keep to any agreement with regard to bills and make sure they are paid before you leave
- Supply copies of your Council Tax Exemption letters to the local authority
- Take out contents insurance for your personal property
Your Rights
- To be left alone to live in your accommodation without interference from the landlord
- To have repairs carried out promptly and to a decent standard
- To be covered by a current Gas Safety Certificate
- To have furnishings that comply with the Furnishings and Furniture (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988
- To have a written copy of the tenancy agreement
- To live in your accommodation without fear of harassment
Harassment
Harassment is anything that your landlord, or other tenants, do to make you feel unsafe in your own home.
Some common forms of harassment are:
- Entering your accommodation without prior warning (especially your own room)
- Not carrying out repairs and leaving the property to fall into a dangerous state
- Changing locks while you're out
- Making threats
- Sending repair workers around without notice
- Being abusive
- Refusing guests entry
- Any other form of harassment, for example based on race, culture, gender or sexuality.
If You Feel You're Being Harassed
- Keep a log of dates, times and occurrences, and take photos if appropriate
- Try to get an independent witness to any conversations you have with the person who is harassing you
- Write to the person complaining about their actions
- Keep copies of all letters and emails.
Should you run into any difficulties with regards to your rights and responsibilities you can contact Your Advice Service for advice and support.