Tenant responsibilities during a tenancy

Landlords in England are legally required to ensure that all adult occupants (aged 18 and over) have the Right to Rent.

• Right to Rent checks are carried out before the tenancy begins
• Follow-up checks may be required depending on your immigration status

You may not transfer your tenancy to another person and it is very important that guests over the age of 18 who are not on the tenancy agreement are not permitted to occupy the property. If one of the named tenants wishes to leave, regardless of whether they are to be replaced, please contact us immediately so we can discuss this with your landlord and make the necessary arrangements.

Tenants are responsible for normal household maintenance including:

• Replacing light bulbs & fuses
• Cleaning windows
• Cutting lawns and maintaining hedges/borders
• Keeping all guttering and drains clear from leaves and blockages
• Removal of pests such as fleas, ants, wasps etc.
• Any other tasks that are considered normal household management.

Condensation and Ventilation

You should ensure adequate ventilation to prevent condensation and mould. This includes:

• Opening windows regularly
• Using extractor fans where provided

Tenants are generally responsible for managing condensation caused by lifestyle habits, although landlords must address underlying structural issues.

If you should experience any problems with either the contents (owned by the landlord) or structure of the property, please report this to the Property Management team immediately to request an approved contractor to investigate the problem.

For more costly repairs, it may be necessary for your landlord to obtain more than one quotation from contractors, or to instruct a surveyor to assess the nature of the problem so that it can be resolved effectively.

This will require your assistance so that we can gain access for quotes and we may ask a contractor to call you to arrange access. If you would prefer to be present when a contractor visits you can then book an appointment which suits you. However, if you then cannot attend, please liaise with them to rearrange or they may charge you for their failed visit.

Do not Instruct contractors yourself

You should not arrange repairs independently unless it is a genuine emergency (i.e. risk to health, safety, or serious property damage). Otherwise, you may be held responsible for any costs not approved by the landlord.

Property management

All rented properties must have smoke alarms fitted on each floor of the living accommodation and CO alarms in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler or solid fuel appliance.

Tenant Responsibilities:

• Test alarms regularly (at least monthly)
• Replace batteries where required
• Report faulty detectors immediately

By law, your landlord must have all gas systems, appliances and flues tested and checked at least every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. These regulations do not apply to appliances owned by tenants, for example a gas cooker. You’ll have received a copy of the Gas Safety certificate in your move-in pack and we will contact you to arrange an appointment when this is due for renewal. It is in the interests of your own safety and welfare that you co-operate fully with contractors making appointments with you to carry out gas safety inspections.

For your own safety we would recommend you have any gas appliances of your own tested once every twelve months. We can supply details of a gas engineer upon request. You will be provided with a copy of the gas safety certificate by the Gas Safe engineer upon completion of the visit.

You must obtain written permission from your landlord before:

• Redecorating
• Making alterations
• Installing fixtures

Failing to do so may result in charges to restore the property at the end of the tenancy.

We know how stressful it can be when you lose your keys, so if this happens, please contact Property Management. If we have another set you will be able to collect them from the office (remember to bring appropriate ID) to have a set cut at your own cost.

If a lock change is required as a result of lost keys we may need to call a locksmith at your cost. Unfortunately you will also need to replace any keys that your landlord holds, so that they can access the property. For properties in a block with communal entrance doors, you may also need to arrange a replacement key for you and all other residents in the block. Landlords will not accept liability for the loss of keys by a tenant.

We hope that you will never experience a break-in. However, should this happen during your tenancy please take the following steps:

1. Report the incident to the police and be sure to obtain a crime reference number. It is important that the police are informed and a Crime Reference number obtained otherwise this may prevent you or your landlord from making an insurance claim.
2. Contact your Property Manager if there is any damage to windows or external doors so that we can arrange for a contractor to secure the property.

With anything dangerous like broken glass, please ensure that you report this to us immediately. It is the responsibility of a tenant to repair any windows or glazing broken at the property during the tenancy both internally and externally with like-for-like glass.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025:

• Most tenancies are now periodic (rolling) rather than fixed-term
• They continue until ended legally by either party

Rent Reviews

• Rent increases must follow a formal legal process
• Under Assured Peridioc Tenancies, landlords can only increase the rent a maximum of once per year, and not within the first year.