YOUR HOME. YOUR RIGHTS. YOUR VOICE.
Choose one of eight topics below. Each tile opens clear next steps, explains differences between private, council and housing association tenancies, and links to independent guidance. This guide covers England only.
Choose a topic to read more
Repairs & Maintenance
Report faults promptly in writing. Keep dates, photographs and copies of replies. Ask for a repair timetable. Do not assume you can stop paying rent.
Which kind of landlord do you have?
Private landlord: Private tenants: contact your landlord or agent; seek council environmental-health help for serious unresolved hazards.
Council: Council tenants: report to the council repairs team and use its formal complaint procedure if unresolved.
Housing association: Housing association tenants: report to the association; unresolved service complaints may reach the Housing Ombudsman.
Shelter: repairs and housing conditions ↗
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Damp, Mould & Safety
Awaab’s Law — social housing
For qualifying social rented homes in England, emergency hazards must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours of the landlord becoming aware of them. Potential significant damp and mould hazards must be investigated within 10 working days; confirmed hazards must be made safe within 5 working days after the investigation finishes. A written summary must normally be sent within 3 working days of the investigation finishing. If the home cannot be made safe within the deadline, the landlord must offer suitable alternative accommodation for the household. These timescales currently cover damp and mould and all emergency hazards. From 30 November 2026 they are due to extend to further serious hazards, including excess cold and heat, falls, fire and electrical hazards, pests and domestic hygiene, and structural collapse. Check GOV.UK for the full requirements. Last checked 4 November 2026.
Record where damp or mould appears and any health or safety concerns. Report it in writing and ask for inspection and action; seek urgent advice for immediate danger.
GOV.UK: Awaab’s Law guidance for social tenants ↗
Which kind of landlord do you have?
Private landlord: Private tenants: your local council may inspect serious housing hazards; check private-renting guidance.
Council: Council tenants: report damp and hazards to the council as landlord; use its complaint process if action is delayed.
Housing association: Housing association tenants: report the hazard to the association and request a clear plan; use its complaint process if unresolved.
Shelter: repairs, damp and safety ↗
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Your Tenancy Rights
Renters’ Rights Act — check your housing type
From 1 May 2026, most existing private assured shorthold tenancies in England became rolling assured periodic tenancies. Council tenants, housing association tenants, lodgers and residents of student halls can have different rules and implementation dates. Check your housing arrangement and seek independent advice before relying on a notice or ending a tenancy.
Check your tenancy agreement and tenancy type. Rules on deposits, landlord access, notices and ending tenancies depend on the arrangement and when it began.
New section 21 no-fault eviction notices ended for these private tenancies from 1 May 2026. A section 21 notice served before 1 May 2026 could only be used if the landlord applied to court within its time limit, which ended on 31 July 2026 at the latest and earlier for some notices. Possession cases already in court can continue. If you have an old section 21 notice or court papers, get advice promptly.
Which kind of landlord do you have?
Private landlord: Private tenants: reforms introduced on 1 May 2026 changed many tenancy and eviction rules; check current guidance before acting.
Council: Council tenants: secure, introductory and other tenancies can have different rights; check your specific tenancy.
Housing association: Housing association tenants: assured and other tenancy types can have different rules; check your agreement and obtain advice.
GOV.UK: Renters’ Rights Act overview ↗
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Rent & Service Charges
Ask for a written breakdown of charges you do not understand. Keep statements and correspondence. If struggling with rent, seek help early rather than ignoring arrears.
For most private assured periodic tenancies, rent can normally be increased only once per year, not in the first year, using Form 4A with at least two months’ notice. Earlier notices and exceptional tenancy types can differ.
Which kind of landlord do you have?
Private landlord: Private tenants: rules on rent increases and deposits differ from social housing; use current private-renting guidance.
Council: Council tenants: check your tenancy, rent notice and council complaint procedure for errors or unexplained charges.
Housing association: Housing association tenants: check your tenancy and any service-charge breakdown; ask for a written explanation of disputed items.
GOV.UK: private tenancy rent increases ↗
Citizens Advice: housing and rent help ↗
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Harassment & Eviction
Keep copies of threatening messages and record incidents. If you receive an eviction notice, obtain advice immediately: the notice alone does not necessarily mean you must leave at once. Call 999 for immediate danger.
Which kind of landlord do you have?
Private landlord: Private tenants: eviction law changed in May 2026; notice type and dates matter. Check with Shelter before deciding what to do.
Council: Council tenants: possession processes and notice rules depend on tenancy type and grounds; get individual advice.
Housing association: Housing association tenants: possession rules depend on tenancy type and grounds; ask an independent adviser to check documents.
Shelter: eviction guidance ↗
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Housing & Family Needs
If your home is overcrowded, unsuitable for disability needs or you are at risk of homelessness, contact your council’s housing options team and ask about your circumstances.
Which kind of landlord do you have?
Private landlord: Private tenants: the council can assess homelessness duties regardless of whether your current landlord is private.
Council: Council tenants: ask the council about transfer, adaptations or suitability; homelessness applications are a separate council function.
Housing association: Housing association tenants: ask about adaptations and transfer options; contact the council for homelessness assistance where relevant.
Shelter: homelessness advice ↗
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Complaints & Evidence
Make a dated timeline, keep original letters, photos and messages, explain what went wrong and what outcome you seek. Follow the relevant landlord or agency complaint process. Do not wait for a complaint response before seeking urgent help with an immediate safety hazard.
Which kind of landlord do you have?
Private landlord: Private tenants: Housing Ombudsman access is not automatic. Agent complaints may go to an approved property redress scheme; some problems can go to the council.
Council: Council tenants: landlord service complaints normally go through the council landlord process, then potentially the Housing Ombudsman. Wider council housing duties may have a different ombudsman.
Housing association: Housing association tenants: complete the association complaint process; the Housing Ombudsman may then investigate qualifying complaints.
Housing Ombudsman: help for residents ↗
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Find Independent Help
Choose an independent service relevant to your issue. If a deadline or court document is involved, seek individual advice quickly. We do not ask you to upload sensitive personal documents here.
Which kind of landlord do you have?
Private landlord: Private tenants: Shelter, Citizens Advice and your council can explain relevant routes.
Council: Council tenants: Shelter, Citizens Advice and the Housing Ombudsman can explain rights and complaint routes.
Housing association: Housing association tenants: Shelter, Citizens Advice and the Housing Ombudsman can explain rights and complaint routes.
Shelter: housing advice ↗
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