Landlord's responsibilities

Landlord rights and responsibilities

Before letting your property, it’s important to fully understand the rights and responsibilities of being a landlord. It’s also vital to know what you can expect from a letting agent who manages the property for you.

For example, imagine three months into a tenancy on your rented property that’s managed by letting agents, the tenants say they’re no longer paying the rent because there’s no heating or hot water.

The questions in this situation are many. Can the tenants refuse to pay rent? Can you claim the rent from the tenants or the letting agency? Do you have to continue using the letting agency? What repairs are you liable for?

Legislation protecting tenants' rights can appear a real hurdle, but it needn’t be the case.

Which? Legal can help

Which? Legal's specialist advisers can advise on the obligations you have to your tenants and vice versa, what you need to do with the deposit and what rights you have if things go wrong.

We can help you better understand your rights and responsibilities as a landlord including:

• all aspects of assured shorthold tenancy agreements
• the need to use a tenancy deposit protection scheme
• your right to reasonable access to carry out repairs and inspections
• your responsibilities regarding utilities such as the safety of gas installations and appliances

The Which? Legal specialist advisers will give you individual, jargon-free legal advice to help you to solve tenant disputes.