Your landlord must keep the property you live in safe and free from health hazards. This includes fire, gas and electrical safety. You can visit GOV.UK to find out more about your landlord's safety responsibilities. Before you sign a tenancy agreement, your landlord or agent should give you specific information which could influence your decision to take the property or not. 

Your landlord or agent must give you:

• The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property. It tells you how efficient the property is and what your gas/electric usage might be. If the property is not efficient, expect to pay higher bills to keep the property warm. Properties rated F & G must not be let unless the landlord has registered a valid exemption.
• The Gas Safety Certificate . If your landlord has not provided a gas safety certificate, you can report them to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 
• Evidence that your deposit has been protected. If your landlord or agent does not protect your deposit within 30 days of receiving the money, you may be able to claim compensation.
• The Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Landlords must provide the EICR to the tenants. If your landlord does not provide the Council with a copy of the EICR within 7 days of our request, they may have to pay a fine. The starting point for a first offence is £1,000.

From 1 May 2026 all private sector tenancies become monthly/weekly rolling (assured periodic) tenancies. Tenancies will no longer have a fixed term, and most tenants can leave after giving two months' notice. There is no need to request an update to your tenancy agreement as the changes happen automatically. Agents and landlords will have to provide new tenants with a 'Statement of Terms' before they sign the tenancy agreement. They will also have to provide this to existing tenants who do not have a written tenancy agreement but may have a verbal contract. All other existing tenants must be provided with the Information Sheet which explains how the Renters' Rights Act 2025 changes their tenancy. Failing to provide the 'Statement of Terms' or 'Information Sheet' can result in a penalty of up to £7,000.

Your deposit

You should avoid paying your deposit in cash to avoid falling victim to a rental fraud scam and to ensure you can prove when the money was received. From the date you pay your deposit to the landlord or lettings agent, they have 30 days to place it in a registered scheme and provide you details of the scheme and how to contact them. The deposit scheme will handle any disagreements about deposit deductions at the end of your tenancy. The council have no powers relating to deposit disputes. The schemes a landlord/agent can use are the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits and Tenancy Deposit Scheme. If your landlord/agent does not protect your deposit in 30 days, you can apply to the County Court for compensation.

Poor service from a lettings or management company

If a person or company manages or lets property on behalf of a private landlord, they are legally required to hold a Redress Scheme membership with either The Property Ombudsman or The Property Redress Scheme unless they are managing the property on behalf of a close relative. This includes management companies acting on behalf of a Freeholder. The Redress Schemes can deal with complaints the Council cannot, such as poor service and communication issues. Landlords or tenants can complain about the service received to the scheme their agent is registered with. If they are not registered, the Council may issue a civil penalty of up to £4000.