Know Your Rights

Getting your head around rights as a renter can feel daunting – but tenants in England have some protections and knowing what they are will help you feel more in control.

This page lists some of the most common questions we get asked. If you can't find the answer here, drop us an email on [email protected]

If you need urgent advice we have some helpful links here.

Renters Rights Awareness Week is taking place 17-23 October 2022. Join our webinars to learn more about what rights you have, how to exercise them and ask questions to experts.

Access our rights factsheets library here. You'll find information you can download on Evictions, Repairs, Affording your rent, Landlords and Letting Agents, Starting a new tenancy, Ending a tenancy and Shared Accommodation in the following languages: English, Arabic, Bengali, Guajarati, Polish, Punjabi, Urdu.

Most housing laws are devolved to the four nations of the UK. The information on these pages relate to England - the following links will take you to information about renters' rights in the rest of the country:

My landlord wants to put the rent up

I won't be able to afford to stay here.

Read the answer →

My landlord is not fixing something

I told my landlord about a leak/broken boiler/mould outbreak/infestation and they won't do anything about it.

Read the answer →

I've been asked to move out

I've received a section 21 notice asking me to leave. What can I do?

Read the answer →

The landlord won't return my holding deposit

My tenancy didn't go ahead but the landlord won't return my holding deposit – what can I do to get it back?

Read the answer →

Can I pay less for my gas and electricity?

Energy prices are rising and I can’t afford to keep the heating on.

Read the answer →

Do I have to renew my tenancy?

I’m coming to the end of my tenancy but don't think I want to commit to another year. Can I stay in my current home on a monthly basis?

Read the answer →

How do I pay rent if my income has fallen?

I've lost work and am worried about being able to pay my rent

Read the answer →

My landlord is turning up unannounced

My landlord is letting themselves into my house or turning up at my home without warning. What should I do?

Read the answer →

My landlord hasn't protected my deposit

I don't think my landlord has put my deposit into a protection scheme – what can I do?

Read the answer →

My home has a mould problem

No matter what I do I can't stop condensation, avoid damp and prevent mould in my rented home

Read the answer →

How do I get out of my tenancy agreement?

My circumstances have changed and have to move

Read the answer →

My landlord is not returning my deposit

My landlord will not return my deposit/wants to make deductions from the deposit. What do I do?

Read the answer →

I'm moving home – what do I need to know?

I'm moving home soon but I'm not sure what I can expect from my landlord. What should I know?

Read the answer →

I’ve been asked for a guarantor

My landlord has asked me to send details of a "guarantor" for my rent. What does that mean?

Read the answer →

A member of our houseshare is moving out

My housemate is moving out, so what do I need to do now?

Read the answer →

My landlord has banned me from...

registering to vote/switching utility/having a pet...

Read the answer →

Can I own a pet while renting?

Can I get a pet in my current rented home? And, how can I persuade a new landlord to rent to me with a pet?

Read the answer →

What are my rights to rent as an EU Citizen?

I am an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, how do I obtain the right to rent?

Read the answer →