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The legislation surrounding tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities is complex and can be tricky to understand, but under The Private Tenancies Order 2006, all private tenants have five basic rights.

 

Your basic rights as a tenant:

 

A free rent book

This should include the name and address of the landlord and details of rent and other payments you should make. This should be provided within 28 days of the start of your tenancy.

 

Freedom from illegal eviction and harassment

This includes changing the locks, cutting off water or electricity supplies and threatening physical or verbal behaviour. If you find yourself in any of these situations, seek action immediately, the law protects tenants from harassment and illegal eviction.

 

Right to claim housing benefit

Tenants should be informed of this right in the rent book. The housing benefit available for those renting in the private sector is called Local Housing Allowance (LHA).

 

Adequate notice to quit

All tenants must be given 28 days’ written notice to quit, before any court action to evict can occur.

 

Due process of law

Finally, if a tenant is evicted but refuses to leave, no repossession can take place outside of court.