Your Questions, Answered

  • In England, landlords have legal duties to make sure your home is safe and free from serious hazards. This typically includes:

    • Gas safety: Gas appliances and flues must be checked regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and you should be given a copy of the gas safety record.

    • Electrical safety: Landlords must meet electrical safety standards and provide the required electrical safety documentation (for most rented homes this includes regular inspection/testing).

    • Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: At least one smoke alarm on each storey (with living accommodation) and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).

    • A home that’s fit to live in: Landlords must ensure the property is fit for human habitation—for example, serious damp and mould or other hazards may mean a home is not legally “fit.”

    If you’re worried about immediate danger (for example, a suspected gas leak), treat it as an emergency and contact the appropriate emergency service/provider straight away.

  • Yes—there are clear repairing obligations in law. A key duty (for most shorter residential tenancies) is to keep in repair:

    • The structure and exterior (for example, walls, roof, gutters, drains)

    • Installations for water, gas, electricity and sanitation

    • Installations for space heating and hot water

    Separately, landlords also have a duty to ensure the home is fit for human habitation (so even if something isn’t a straightforward “repair,” serious hazards can still be a legal issue).

  • We follow a simple process (and it’s a good idea to do this in writing so there’s a clear record):

    1. Report the issue as soon as you notice it (include photos if helpful).

    2. Access arrangements: You’ll usually be contacted to agree a suitable time for a contractor visit.

    3. Repairs are prioritised: urgent issues (like loss of heating/hot water, serious leaks, electrical hazards) should be treated faster than minor fixes.

    4. Follow-up and completion: you should be told what’s happening and when the repair is expected to be finished.

    Tip: Under repairing rules, landlords are generally expected to act within a reasonable time once they’ve been notified.

  • Yes. In England, if you have a tenancy where deposit protection applies (commonly an AST), your landlord/agent must:

    • Protect your deposit in an approved scheme, and

    • Provide the required information within 30 days of receiving it.

    There are also rules limiting many fees in the private rented sector (England) under the Tenant Fees Act. For example, a holding deposit to reserve a property is capped at one week’s rent.

  • It depends on the type of tenancy you have and whether you are still within a fixed term.

    If you are in a fixed-term tenancy (for example, a 12-month contract), you cannot usually leave early unless your agreement includes a break clause, your landlord agrees to release you, or you arrange a lawful replacement tenant where the contract allows it. If you are in a rolling (periodic) tenancy, you can normally end the tenancy by giving the correct written notice, in line with your agreement and current legal requirements.

    Changes from 1 May 2026

    From 1 May 2026, private renting rules in England are expected to change under the Renters’ Rights Act. Fixed-term tenancies will end, and all tenancies will become periodic (rolling) with no set end date. Any existing fixed-term tenancy will automatically convert to a rolling tenancy from that date, even if your contract states otherwise.

    Under the new rules, tenants will be able to end their tenancy at any time by giving two months’ notice. Landlords will no longer be able to use Section 21 “no-fault” evictions. Instead, they will need to use the Section 8 process and rely on specific legal grounds (for example, if they intend to sell the property or move in themselves).

    Because notice periods and legal requirements can be detailed and situation-specific, it is sensible to seek advice before serving notice if you are unsure about your position.

  • A typical application process looks like this:

    1. Enquiry + viewing

    2. Application form (basic details, affordability, and who will live there)

    3. Referencing checks (often income/employment and previous landlord references)

    4. Right to Rent checks (England): landlords/agents must check the right to rent for new adult tenants before the tenancy starts.

    5. Holding deposit (if requested): if you pay one to reserve the property, it’s capped at one week’s rent in England.

    6. Tenancy agreement + move-in monies (rent and deposit), plus receiving key documents/guides such as “How to Rent” (in our Resources section)