Renting: your rights

There are plenty of dodgy landlords out there who have no qualms about ripping students off. If you're renting, it pays to know your rights.

The contract
Read the small print carefully, because the act of signing it means that you have understood it and accepted the terms. Do not move into a place without signing a contract first, the document will give you legal protection. Ask for an inventory, and check every item on it as soon as you move in.

The landlord cannot:

--Turn up uninvited and let themself in. Reasonable notice is required;

--Neglect the place you rent'

--Shut down utility supplies like gas, water or electricity;

--Allow other tenants to threaten you;

--Prevent your friends from visiting.

Eviction
The landlord must give you a proper notice period or get a court order if he or she wants you to move out.

Mandatory eviction

You can be asked to leave if:

--The owner of the house wishes to come back and live in the property;

--The owner has gone bankrupt and the house is being repossessed;

--You are more than two months in arrears with your rent;

--You refuse or delay vital maintenance work to the building;

Discretionary eviction

A landlord can ask the court to decide if eviction is necessary if:

--You've broken the terms of your contract, i.e. trashed the place;

--You're always late in paying the rent;

--You lied about yourself to get the place.

Harassment
If the landlord wants you to leave:

--It is illegal for them to use violence or threaten to use violence;

--They cannot offer you money to vacate the premises;

--They are also not allowed to harass you to make you leave e.g. changing the locks, shouting abuse, playing loud music etc.

Your rights as a lodger
When you live in the same accomodation as your landlord, be it private or a B&B, your rights are often greatly reduced. They generally depend upon what you have agreed with your landlord. When living as a lodger you do not need to have a written agreement for the terms of your stay at the property, however it is probably wise to protect you from misunderstandings in the future. This agreement should include:


--How much rent you need to pay and when you should pay it;

--How much notice you will be given if the rent is to be increased;

--How much notive you have to give before moving out;

--What services are provided and which you have to pay for, for example meals and laundry;

--Can you have guests in your room and are their restricitons on how long they can stay?;

--Is your room exclusively yours and can you lock it?;

--Do you have to pay a deposit for the room? Is it returnable on terminating your stay?