Renting can be confusing at the best of times, especially when you’re juggling lectures, deadlines, and a busy social life. The Renters Rights Act has introduced major changes for private renters, including many students living in shared houses and flats. Here are five rights you should know about.
Renting can be confusing at the best of times, especially when you’re juggling lectures, deadlines, and a busy social life. The Renters Rights Act has introduced major changes for private renters, including many students living in shared houses and flats. Here are five rights you should know about.
1. You can’t be evicted without a valid reason
The end of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions means landlords can no longer ask tenants to leave without giving a legal reason. If your landlord wants possession of the property, they must use one of the legal grounds set out in the legislation.
2. Most tenancies are now rolling tenancies
For many private renters, fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies have been replaced by rolling periodic tenancies. This gives tenants greater flexibility and means you can usually leave by giving the required notice, rather than being tied into a long fixed contract.
3. Rent increases are more tightly controlled
Landlords cannot simply increase rent whenever they like. Rent increases must follow a formal process, giving tenants notice and the opportunity to challenge increases they believe are unfair.
4. You have stronger rights when reporting problems
The Act is designed to give tenants more confidence to raise concerns about issues such as damp, mould, repairs, and unsafe living conditions. Stronger protections make it easier to challenge poor housing conditions without fear of unfair treatment.
5. Landlords must consider requests for pets
While landlords can still refuse pets in some circumstances, tenants now have the right to request permission and landlords must consider those requests reasonably. Good news for anyone whose ideal study companion has four legs and a habit of sitting on lecture notes.
A note for students
Student housing can be more complicated than standard private renting. The rules that apply to you may depend on the type of accommodation you live in.
If you live in a shared house under a joint tenancy, all tenants are usually named on the same agreement and share responsibility for the rent and the property. If you rent a room individually in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you may have separate rights and responsibilities under an individual tenancy agreement.
Some types of purpose-built student accommodation may also be exempt from parts of the Renters Rights Act. If you’re unsure what type of tenancy you have, or how the new legislation affects you, contact the Students’ Union Advice Centre for free, independent advice.