Private Sector Housing
Tenants Responsibilities
Being a tenant brings its own responsibilities, towards your
landlord and your property
Paying the rent
When you sign a tenancy agreement you make a contract with your
landlord that in return for the right to occupy your home you pay
rent. How much rent and when it is payable should be stated in the
tenancy agreement. Rent is normally paid weekly or monthly and
payable in advance. If you do not pay the rent your landlord can
get a court order to evict you and pay the rent you owe.
If you are having difficulty paying rent you should get advice
quickly. This is available from your local Citizens Advice Bureau
or contact Shelter free phone 0808 800 4444 or http://www.shelter.org.uk/.
For information on housing benefit contact Dover District
Council on Tel 01304 872199/872190 or e-mail revenues@dover.gov.uk
Housing benefit
If you are claiming housing benefit to help pay your rent it is
important that your claim is kept up to date and you advise the
housing benefit section of any changes which may affect your claim
straight away. If you don't, your claim may be stopped and then you
could fall behind with your rent and face eviction.
If you are having difficulties with your claim or need advice
you can contact the housing benefits section on 01304-872199/872190
or e-mail revenues@dover.gov.uk.
Alternatively you can contact your local Citizens Advise
Bureau.
Paying Bills
Most private tenants have to pay for electricity, gas, water,
telephone, council tax and a TV licence. You tenancy agreement will
state which bills you are responsible for. It is important when you
move into a property to inform the relevant authorities that you
are now responsible for paying the bills and again when you leave a
property. If you don't you may end up paying extra charges.
Repairs
Your landlord will normally be responsible for carrying out
repairs to your home. See 'Disrepair in
Privately Rented Accommodation'. If there are any items of
disrepair then you should tell your landlord straightaway. However,
if you or your visitors break or damage something in the property,
it will be your responsibility to get it repaired or replaced. If
you don't your landlord could be entitled to some or all of your
deposit to pay for the works himself. Minor repairs such as
changing a light bulb, internal decoration and keeping the property
clean are the responsibility of the tenant.
Leaving the property
When you can leave a property depends on whether you have a
fixed term or periodic tenancy.
Fixed Term
If you have a tenancy agreement for a fixed period e.g. a
six-month assured shorthold tenancy you cannot normally leave until
the fixed term has ended, unless your tenancy has a break clause,
or your landlord agrees. However you can leave on the last date of
the fixed term without telling your landlord, but it is best to do
so, especially if you have paid a deposit.
Periodic
If you want to leave the property you should give your landlord
a written notice to tell him you are leaving. This must normally be
done at least four weeks before you intend to go. How much notice
you are required to give should be explained in your tenancy
agreement. If you pay your rent monthly then it is important that
you give one months notice and this should end on a day when the
rent is due. E.g. if you pay your rent on the 1st of the month then
the notice will start on this date and end on the last day of the
month usually the 30th or 31st. If you do not end your tenancy
properly you may still have to pay the rent.
If you require more information on being a tenant then Shelter
the housing charity have a very informative website.
Contact Private Sector Housing
Tel: 01304 872454
Email: privatesectorhousing@dover.gov.uk
