Renting a home

When you are renting a home it is important for you to know what you can afford and understand the kind of rental agreement you are entering into.

Find out about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant so that you can follow the rules. These pages can give you helpful information on problems you may have while renting. Find out what to do if you are facing eviction.

This content applies to England

Tenancy agreements

Information on tenancy agreements including the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords, and covering sham tenancies and unfair tenancy agreements.

Renting from a social housing landlord

Information on secure and assured tenancies for tenants of local authorities, housing associations and housing cooperatives covering rent, repairs, the right to stay in the home and introductory tenancies.

Renting from a private landlord

Information on assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies for private tenants including rent, repairs and the right to stay in the accommodation.

Common problems with renting

Information on the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants including repairs, provision of gas, electricity and water supplies and ending the tenancy.

Repossession by your landlord's mortgage lender

Rights of tenants facing eviction because their private landlord falls behind on with their mortgage payments and is facing repossession.

Getting repairs done while renting

Rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants to get repairs done including how a tenant can take action if repairs are not done.

Information for landlords

Link to information on the Communities and Local Government website giving guidance on letting property, letting a room in your home, carrying out repairs, protecting tenants' deposits, giving notice to leave.

National Homelessness Advice Service (NHAS) information

Link to the National Homelessness Advice Service (NHAS) website for fact sheets on homelessness and tenancy issues.