Housing conditions

Rented properties should be a safe and healthy environment for all tenants. The Housing Health and Safety Rating System is a standard way to review housing conditions. Your local council can get involved when faults with the property impact on the health and safety of the tenants.

DASH Services offers information and guidance on the Private Rented Sector service for Local Authorities, Landlords & Tenants.

Tenants

When you rent a property, your landlord is responsible for most repairs in your home. Your landlord must:

• make sure all gas and electrical equipment is safely installed and looked after
• have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property
• protect your deposit in a government-approved plan
• check you have the right to rent your property (in England)
• give you a copy of the how to rent checklist
• be a member of an approved redress scheme if needed
• provide smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each floor and make sure they are working

If you have further questions about tenants’ rights, you can visit the Shelter website. Shelter are a registered housing charity who help with a wide range of housing concerns.

Another place to visit is the GOV UK website, where there is information such as how to rent a safe home, private renting and more.