‘How to rent’ booklet update

The guide is for tenants and landlords in the private rented sector to help them understand their rights and responsibilities. It provides a checklist and more detailed information on each stage of the process.  including:

• what to look out for before renting
• living in a rented home
• what happens at the end of a tenancy
• what to do if things go wrong

The booklet also confirms the following:

The landlord must provide you with

• A copy of this guide “How to rent: the checklist for renting in England” as a printed copy or, if you agree, via email as a PDF attachment.
• A gas safety certificate. The landlord must provide one each year, if there is a gas installation.
• Deposit paperwork. If you have provided a deposit, the landlord must protect it in a government approved scheme. Make sure you get the official information from the scheme, and that you understand how to get your money back at the end of the tenancy. Keep this information safe as you will need it later.
• The Energy Performance Certificate. This will affect your energy bills and the landlord must provide one (except for Houses in Multiple Occupation).

If your landlord doesn’t provide these, they can’t evict you until they do.

The landlord should provide you with:

A record of any electrical inspections. All appliances must be safe and checks every 5 years are recommended.

The landlord must:

• Maintain the structure and exterior of the property.
• Fit smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms using solid fuels – such as coal and wood – and make sure they are working at the start of your tenancy. If they are not there, ask your landlord to install them.
• Deal with any problems with the water, electricity and gas supply.
• Maintain any appliances and furniture they have supplied.
• Carry out most repairs. If something is not working, report it to the landlord (or their agent) as soon as you can.
• Arrange an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe engineer (where there are any gas appliances).
• Give at least 24 hours notice of visits for things like repairs – the landlord cannot walk in whenever they like.
• Get a licence for the property, if it is a licensable property.