Private Landlord Advice

Imagine how you would feel as a private landlord if, having instructed a letting agent to look after your property, three months later you find out that rent is not being paid because, the tenants tell you, there is no heating or hot water at the property. 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?

And what about managing the property yourself? Legislation protecting tenants' rights can be a minefield, but it need not be. Which? Legal Service can advise on what obligations you have to your tenants and vice versa, what you need to do with the deposit (although we cannot advise on specific rent deposit schemes) and what rights you have if things go wrong.

We can advise private landlords (those landlords who are not in business) in regards to assured shorthold tenancy agreements entered into after 15th January 1989.

The areas we can advise on are:

Repairing obligations
Obligations to your tenants
Rent deposits
Dealing with estate agents/letting agents
Small claims

Join Which? Legal Service and we can help you better understand your rights and resolve your landlord legal queries.