Your Rights as a Tenant (Overview)
This overview covers tenants renting privately in England. Your landlord is responsible for structural repairs and the installations for water, gas, electricity, and heating, and must protect any deposit you pay in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019, a landlord cannot take a deposit worth more than 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if the annual rent is £50,000 or more). Eviction law changed fundamentally under the Renters' Rights Act 2025: from 1 May 2026, assured shorthold tenancies are abolished and landlords can no longer use the no-fault 'section 21' process, even if your tenancy agreement says otherwise; landlords must instead rely on specific statutory grounds for possession, with a court order always required before you can be made to leave. For the full guide covering rent increases, repairs, and possession grounds, see the main Tenant Rights guide. Jurisdiction: England (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have separate tenancy law).
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
Useful Contacts
Frequently asked questions
- What repairs is my landlord legally required to carry out?
- Your landlord is legally responsible for structural repairs, external walls, roofs, drains, gutters, and installations for water, gas, electricity, and heating. These repairs must be carried out within a reasonable time after you notify them of the issue. It is recommended to report these problems in writing and keep copies of your correspondence.
- How long does my landlord have to protect my deposit?
- Your tenancy deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. Your landlord is also required to provide you with prescribed information about the scheme. You can verify your deposit's status by contacting the three main schemes: DPS, MyDeposits, and TDS.
- Can my landlord evict me without a court order?
- A landlord cannot simply remove you from the property. They must follow the correct legal process, which involves serving either a Section 21 notice (no-fault) or a Section 8 notice (with grounds) for assured shorthold tenancies. A court order is always required before eviction can take place.
- Do I have tenant rights if I only have an oral agreement?
- Yes, an oral tenancy agreement is valid. Even without a written contract, you retain all statutory protections. This includes rights to deposit protection, repair obligations, and protection from unfair eviction procedures under the relevant housing legislation.
- What happens if my landlord fails to protect my deposit?
- If your deposit is not protected in a government-approved scheme, you may be entitled to compensation ranging from one to three times the amount of the deposit. You should check your deposit status with the relevant schemes and seek advice if it is not protected.