Tenant and landlord responsibilities

If you're a tenant, there are certain responsibilities you or your landlord may have which vary depending on the type of tenancy you have. However, the basic rules are always the same.

For further information on the rights and responsibilities of private renting and how to deal with landlords and letting agents, you can visit:

• GOV.UK (external link) - Landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities in the private rented sector
• Shelter (external link)
• Tenants and Landlords in the Private Rented Sector - Greater Manchester Combined Authority (external link).

Please note: If you have a licence rather than a tenancy, you may not have all of these rights. Get advice if you're not sure whether you're a tenant or a licensee.

Tenant responsibilities

• Providing documents for a right to rent check - Your landlord has to check you have the  right to rent a home (external link).
• Paying rent on time
• Looking after your home
• Asking permission when needed - If you want to get a lodger or make improvements
• Taking responsibility for behaviour - You should not behave in an antisocial or aggressive way towards neighbours, your landlord or letting agency
• Keep to the rules of your tenancy - If your tenancy agreement states no pets allowed, you cannot have a pet
• Follow rules on smoking and vaping
• End your tenancy properly - You may still be liable for rent if you don't.

See landlord duties and support for the key responsibilities of a landlord.

Who is responsible for repairs?

Tenants

• Keeping it clean
• Not damaging the property and making sure your guests don’t either
• Carrying out minor maintenance such as replacing smoke alarm batteries
• Using the heating properly
• Not blocking flues or ventilation
• Carrying out minor repairs relating to internal decorations, gardens and furniture.

Landlords

• The structure and exterior of the building, including the walls, stairs and bannisters, roof and chimney, external doors and windows and guttering
• Electrical Safety - Must supply a current and satisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report to their tenant.
• Valid EPC Certificate - View Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations
• Gas checks - View landlord Gas Safety Responsibilities (external link)
• Sinks, baths, toilets and other sanitary fittings, including pipes and drains
• Heating and hot water - Equipment supplying water must be in safe working order
• Chimneys and ventilation
• At least one Smoke Alarm must be placed on each habitable storey of the property used as living accommodation.
• Ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance.
• Significant damp or mould problems – See how to deal with damp and mould in rented homes (external link)
• Meeting safety standards - Landlords have legal obligations to ensure the safety of tenants.

Tenants can also ask landlords to fit and maintain carbon monoxide detectors. Although these are not legal requirements, it is in the landlord's best interest as well as the tenants.

My landlord won't do the repairs

If you have reported repairs to the landlord but they have failed to carry these out, and you feel that this is having a detrimental effect on you, you can ask us to carry out an inspection of the property.

• See reporting repairs to find out what to do.

We will NOT be able to intervene in ANY disrepair cases unless you have complained to your landlord / letting agent in writing first. We must see evidence before we will progress your case

Harassment or Illegal eviction

If you believe you are subject to landlord harassment or an illegal eviction, please contact our specialist for some much-needed advice and support.

• View our Housing Standards Enforcement Policy
• Read the Private Sector Housing Privacy Notice.

Please note: the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy is currently being updated. If you receive correspondence in relation to a Housing Act offence, the policy enclosed within the documentation you receive is the most up to date version. The updated version will be published online as soon as possible. If you require clarity on anything enclosed within the documentation then please contact the team on the number or email supplied within the letter.