Property Safety and legal advice for tenants
The GOV.UK 'How to rent' guide gives information for tenants and landlords in the private rented sector to help them understand their rights and responsibilities. There is also an online checker tool - Check how to get repairs done in your rented home (justice.gov.uk)
Landlords are responsible for maintenance and repairs to:
- The structure of the building including gutters, pipes and drains, roof, walls, floors and windows
- Plumbing and sanitary fittings such as baths, toilets and sinks
- Heating and hot water systems
- Electrical and gas installations such as wiring, pipework radiators and boilers
If you want us to investigate a health and safety hazard in, or arising from, a private rented property you can report this on our online portal here. The Council will investigate this in accordance with our published Enforcement Policy.
Please note, the Council is not able to become involved in disputes between tenants and landlords over minor defects or routine maintenance.
Damp and mould
Landlords must ensure that the accommodation they provide is free from serious hazards, including damp and mould, and that homes are fit for habitation. They must treat cases of damp and mould with the utmost seriousness and act promptly to protect their tenants’ health. You can also find advice on what to do if you have damp or mould in your rented home.
Gas Safety Advice
It is important that your landlord checks your gas appliances regularly. Find out more about your landlord’s obligations and how to make a complaint.
You can also read our advice for our council housing tenants on how to be gas safe in home.
Fitness for Human Habitation Act guide for tenants
If rented houses and flats are not ‘fit for human habitation’, tenants can take their landlords to court without relying on the local authority to do so.
The court can make the landlord carry out repairs or put right health and safety problems. The court can also make the landlord pay compensation to the tenant. Read the Guide for tenants: Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 to find out if you may be eligible.
Understand your rights as a tenant
It is important that you understand your rights as a tenant. There are a number of resources to help you if you think your landlord is breaking the law.
Tenant Fees Act 2019
A landlord or agent cannot require you (or anyone acting on your behalf or guaranteeing your rent) to make certain payments in connection with a tenancy in England.
They cannot require you to enter a contract with a third party for the provision for a service or for insurance or make a loan in connection with a tenancy.
Read the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to find out what your rights are.
Help and advice on your tenancy
If you need advice on your tenancy (or end of tenancy) and associated rights not covered above you can get help from Shelter or Justice for Tenants.
Rent Repayment Orders
A Rent Repayment Order forces a landlord to refund up to 12 months’ rent.
Rent Repayment Orders are awarded if:
- The property you re renting does not have a licence
- The landlord has not complied with a council notice
- The tenant has been harassed or evicted without the correct paperwork
Contact us
If you feel like your landlord is not dealing with problems that you've reported, you can contact us at privatesectorhousing@northwarks.gov.uk or you can make a complaint and submit photos of your issue using our online portal here.