Your rights as a tenant: how to deal with difficult landlords

Author: Gabrielle D, Staff Writer

Renting can be a real pain. If the expenses, inflation, noisy housemates, rogue pets that you don’t recognise, flaking walls, useless shower curtains and the potentially dangerous fridge hygiene weren’t bad enough, having an unfair landlord just makes everything that bit worse. I have to admit, landlords get a bad rap. The reality is, most of them are everyday people looking to make their way in life, just like you and me. So, let’s not get all anti-landlord here, but there are some rights you’re entitled to, juuuuuust in case your landlord starts behaving badly.

In the UK, renters have specific rights and protections that are outlined in the law. These rights are designed to ensure that tenants are treated fairly and have safe and more than suitable living conditions. Here is our knowledge of renting rights as it stands in August 2023. Shall we list them off like a scroll? Like, The Ten Commandments - renting edition:

You have the…

Right to a written agreement: You have the right to receive a written tenancy agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of your tenancy, including rent amount, payment schedule, length of tenancy, and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant.
Right to a safe and habitable home: Your landlord has to to provide a property that is safe, clean, and in good repair. They must ensure that the property meets health and safety standards. You heard me, get them scrubbing before they give you the keys.
Right to privacy: Landlords are required to give you reasonable notice before they come into your rental property, except in emergencies. So, do yourself a favour a perhaps don’t shoot fireworks from your bedroom window… no matter the occasion.
Right to fair treatment: It is illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants on the basis of factors such as race, gender, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics.
Right to protection from unfair eviction: Landlords must follow specific procedures and grounds for eviction. They cannot evict you without a valid reason and without following proper legal processes. Hold down your fort!
Right to have your deposit returned when the tenancy ends: If your tenancy is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST), your landlord is required to protect your deposit in a government-approved deposit protection scheme.
Right to know your landlord: Your landlord's name and address should be provided to you in writing. If this information is not given to you, you can request it from the letting agent. Feel free to get to know them on a personal level too, but understand boundaries people! Let’s not get away with ourselves here.
Right to challenge unfair rent increases: If you have an AST, your landlord can increase the rent but only in line with the terms of the tenancy agreement or after a fixed-term
tenancy ends.
Right to challenge unfair charges: Landlords are prohibited from charging certain types of fees and charges, and there are limits on the amount they can charge for others.

(Please note, it is important to seek legal advice for the most up-to-date information about renters' rights in the UK.)

Have I persuaded you that renting isn’t as bad as it seems? Hmmm, maybe not. But hey, at least we have some good, steady rights. The rental landscape is always changing in the UK, so make sure to stay really clued up about what you’re entitled to in case your landlord acts out of the ordinary. In general, go with your gut instinct, if you feel that something isn’t right with the way your landlord is treating you, communicating with you, or the way the property has been handed over, then speak to a trusted person and an official renting advisor.

(Also, make sure to change that shower curtain, it’s really not doing anyone any favours.)