Help for private tenants
Your landlord's responsibilities
Find out your landlord's responsibilities by checking:
- the tenancy agreement you signed when you moved in
- Shelter's advice on landlord and tenant responsibilities
Your landlord must give you a copy of the How to rent guide
Understanding your rights and responsibilities
As a private tenant, you have rights and responsibilities when you rent from a private landlord.
You must:
- take care of the property
- pay your rent on time
- pay other agreed charges, like Council Tax or utility bills
- fix or pay for any damage caused by you, your family, or friends
- only sublet the property if you have written agreement from your landlord and the correct property licence
Your landlord can take legal action to evict you if you do not meet your responsibilities.
You can also find a guides on the Shelter website about private renting
Always get your landlord’s permission for home improvements
When you rent a property, you generally need to return it in the same condition as you found it. Some unavoidable wear and tear should be allowed.
If you plan to repaint the walls or make any other changes, get your landlord’s permission in writing.
Repairs and maintenance
You should contact your landlord If you need a repair or have a problem with your home.
Your landlord must fix most repair problems in your home and make sure it’s in good condition.
Always make your landlord aware as soon as possible. You should put any complaints in writing.
See:
If your landlord does not do the repair or takes too long
You can report a rental property to us. We have legal powers to make sure they sort the problem.
Examples include:
- making sure your home meets basic standards
- fixing things broken in your home
- problems with drains and sewers
- getting rid of pests
- if your landlord disconnects gas or electricity
- fire, gas, and electrical safety
Before we can help, you’ll need to follow the steps below.
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Speak to your landlord first about repairs and give them time to do these
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Write to your landlord to request repairs or inform them about problems in your home. You can use Shelter's repair request letter template. Your landlord must respond within 14 days and tell you how and when they’ll solve the problems
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If your landlord does not respond or fails to resolve the problem, report the rental property to us
We’ll need to see a copy of the communication that you have sent to your landlord or managing agent.
What happens next
We’ll write to your landlord to tell them that we have received a complaint.
If your landlord has not sorted the problem, you'll need to contact us again.
We’ll arrange a time for a Housing Enforcement Officer to visit your home to carry out an inspection.
They’ll contact your landlord to inform them of the findings. It’ll include the actions that must take to resolve the situation.
Urgent repairs
Urgent repairs are things like no heating or hot water, unsafe gas or electrics, and burst water pipes. If you have told your landlord and they’re not doing anything about it, report the rental property to us.
If you smell gas call 0800 111 999.
Damp and mould
First, check what is causing the damp or mould. It's often caused by condensation when there's not enough ventilation or heating.
If your landlord is unwilling to help, report a rental property to us.
Dealing with a rent increase
Your landlord cannot increase your rent whenever they like or by any amount. They need to follow certain rules if they want you to pay more.
Check if your landlord needs a property licence
Some privately rented homes in Redbridge need a property licence.
We publish a register of licensed private rented properties. You can check if the property you’re living in has been licensed.
If your rented home needs a licence, your landlord must apply for it.
You can report your property if you think it isn't licensed or if it doesn't comply with the licensing conditions.
Harassment from your landlord
Harassment can be anything a landlord does that makes you feel unsafe in your home or forces you to leave. It’s a crime for your landlord to harass you.
Harassment can include:
- stopping services like electricity
- withholding keys
- refusing to carry out repairs
- opening your post or throwing out your belongings
- threats and physical violence
Check out the housing charity Shelter for advice on dealing with landlord harassment
To report an incident of harassment, contact us
Get help with evictions
If your landlord has served you with a notice to leave the property, it must follow certain rules. Find out the eviction rules landlords must follow.
Reclaim rent
A rent repayment order allows you to claim back up to 12 months’ rent paid to a landlord.
You can apply if your landlord has committed one of the following offences:
- not applied for a property licence
- not complied with an Improvement Notice served by us
- not complied with a Prohibition Order served by us
- used or threatened violence to enter your home
- illegally evicted or harassed you in your home
- breached a banning order
You can apply even if your landlord has not been convicted of the offence. You’ll need to provide evidence to prove that the offence has been committed.
We can provide copies of legal notices or orders served and confirm the licensing status of your home. Email Housing.Standards@redbridge.gov.uk
See Justice for Tenants guidance and help with applying for a rent repayment order
Apply for a rent repayment order
You must apply to the First-tier Tribunal.
We cannot make the application on your behalf.
