Your Rights as a Tenant (Overview)
This is a brief overview of the most important tenant rights in England. For a comprehensive guide to all your tenant rights, see our full Tenant Rights guide at /rights/tenant.
Last updated: 2026-05-22
Your Rights
Right to Repairs
Your landlord is responsible for structural repairs, external walls, roofs, drains, gutters, and installations for water, gas, electricity, and heating. Repairs must be carried out within a reasonable time after being notified.
Right to Deposit Protection
Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. Your landlord must provide you with prescribed information about the scheme.
Right to Protection from Unfair Eviction
Your landlord must follow the correct legal process to evict you. For assured shorthold tenancies, they must serve either a Section 21 notice (no-fault, 2 months) or a Section 8 notice (with grounds). A court order is always required.
Common Myths
If there's no written contract, you have no rights.
An oral tenancy agreement is valid. You still have all statutory protections, including deposit protection, repair obligations, and eviction procedures.
What To Do
Check Your Deposit Is Protected
Contact all three deposit schemes (DPS, MyDeposits, TDS) to verify. If not protected, you may be entitled to 1–3x the deposit in compensation.
Report Repairs in Writing
Always notify your landlord of repair issues in writing. Keep copies. If they don't respond, contact the council's environmental health team.
Key Legislation
- Housing Act 1988
- Housing Act 2004
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
- Protection from Eviction Act 1977
- Deregulation Act 2015
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018