FAQs
The rules for private renters and landlords will change due to the Renters’ Rights Act. These changes will come into force from 1 May 2026. The information provided below remains correct for private renters until this date.
Use the categories below to find relevant articles relating to your questions. All the links lead to the Citizens Advice Website
Before you start your tenancy:
- Should I rent from a landlord or letting agent?
- How to search for a property?
- What to do if you are on benefits?
- What should I ask my landlord or letting agent?
- What checks will my landlord or letting agent make?
- What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
- How to prove you have the right to rent?
- What references will my landlord need?
- Will I need a credit check?
- What will I need to pay before I move in?
- What about hidden costs?
- What if I need a guarantor?
- Can I negotiate with my landlord or letting agent?
- How do deposits work?
- How do holding deposits work?
- What if I can't afford to pay a deposit or rent in advance?
- What is a guarantor liable for?
- Who can be my guarantor?
- What about for shared accommodation?
- When does my guarantor's liability end?
During your tenancy:
- What should I do if I think my home is unsafe?
- How should I ask my landlord to make repairs?
- What should I do if my landlord won’t do the repairs?
- What standards should my landlord make sure my shared housing meets?
- How can I complain to my landlord about safety standards?
- What should I do if my landlord won’t fix the problem?
- How can my local authority help?
- Can I get Universal Credit for housing costs?
- Am I eligible for council tax reduction?
- What should I do if I can't pay my rent?
- What should I do if I can't pay my bills?
- Can my landlord increase my rent?
- How can I negotiate with my landlord?
- What will happen if I don’t pay my rent increase?
- What if I have a rent review clause in my tenancy agreement?
- How can I check if my S13 notice is valid?
- How can I challenge a S13 notice?
- How does the tribunal work?
Rent arrears and evictions:
- Am I responsible for paying my rent arrears?
- What if I get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit?
- What support is available to help me deal with my rent arrears?
- How should I pay back my rent arrears?
- What if I can't afford to pay back my arrears?
- When can I be given a S21 notice?
- Is my S21 notice valid?
- What should I do if I receive a valid S21 notice?
- How can I challenge an invalid S21 eviction?
- What if I think my landlord is discriminating against me?
- How can I prepare for a possession hearing?
- What happens if I don't leave my home?
- Am I being illegally evicted?
- When can I be given a S8 notice?
- Is my S8 notice valid?
- What happens if my landlord starts a possession claim?
- How can I challenge my S8 notice?
- What if I think my landlord is discriminating against me?
- How can I prepare for a possession hearing?
- What happens if I don't leave my home?
- Am I being illegally evicted?
Deposits:
- How do tenancy deposits work?
- What is the deadline for my landlord to protect my deposit?
- Has my deposit been protected?
- What should I do if my landlord hasn't protected my deposit?
- What can I do to ensure I get all my deposit back?
- Can my landlord take money from my deposit?
- What can I do if I disagree with deductions from my deposit?
- Can I get compensation from my landlord for not protecting my deposit?
- When should I take my landlord to court?
- How can I take my landlord to court for compensation?
Issues with your landlord or letting agent:
- What can I do if I think I'm being evicted because I asked for repairs?
- What problems with my landlord can I make a complaint about?
- Should I speak to my landlord about my problem first?
- What steps should I follow to make a complaint?
- How can my local council help me?
- What if my problem still isn't fixed?
- What problems with my letting agent can I make a complaint about?
- Should I speak to my letting agent about my problem first?
- What steps shold I follow to make a complaint?
- How can my local council help me?
- What if my problem still isn't fixed?
At the end of your tenancy:
- What length of notice do I need to give for my type of tenancy?
- When should I give notice?
- What if I have a joint tenancy?
- How do I give notice to my landlord?
- Can I leave before the end of my tenancy?
- What should I do when I'm moving out of my property?
- What support can I get to help deal with my eviction?
If you require support with any of the steps given above, Shelter has lots of template letters and guidance available to assist you in writing to your landlord, letting agent or the council on topics such as:
Repairs
Harassment
Rent increases