As the academic year progresses, you may become dissatisfied with your renting conditions. Your Students’ Union UCL Advice Service frequently encounters misconceptions about renters’ rights. We want to help you understand the truth behind these myths so you can navigate your renting experience with greater confidence.
Here are six myths that can help you navigate these challenges and ensure you’re treated fairly.
Please note, while we refer to “landlord” throughout this guide, always check your agreement to identify who is responsible for repairs. This could be your landlord, letting agent, Accommodation Office, or Halls reception.
Myth 1: Landlords Can Enter Your Home Anytime
Fact: While landlords do have the right to enter the rental property, they must provide proper notice, at least 24 hours. They can only enter for specific reasons, such as repairs, inspections, or emergencies.
If you live with your landlord, you will likely be a lodger and they can enter your room without your permission for repairs, if there’s an emergency or if you agree they’ll do things for you, like cleaning your room. They should still respect your privacy and let you know if they go into your room.
Myth 2: Renters Are Responsible for All Repairs
Fact: Landlords are generally responsible for most repairs, including repairs to the structure and exterior of the property and maintaining plumbing, heating and electrical systems. Renters are responsible for looking after their home, keeping gardens or outside areas in a reasonable state, making sure their home is well ventilated to help avoid condensation and small jobs like changing light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries. Your tenancy agreement might also give you specific responsibilities, such as cleaning your shower head every 6 months. You are also responsible for fixing or replacing things which you or your guests have damaged.
Your landlord may choose to do the repair in whichever way they choose as long as the repair is effective. You can’t specify, for example, that a window should be replaced rather than repaired, if repairing it is effective.
Myth 3: If my agreement doesn’t include it, my landlord isn’t responsible for it
Fact: Your landlord is always responsible for these repairs even if your tenancy agreement does not say this.
Myth 4: Landlords must fix issues immediately
Fact: As soon as you identify an issue, you should tell your landlord and they must carry out repairs within a reasonable time. There is no definition of reasonable and it depends on the problem, but common sense is a good guide. Certain repairs, such as a burst pipe, should be dealt with as an emergency.
You should check your tenancy agreement or tenants’ handbook if you have one. These may outline timescales for repair work, especially in student halls of residence.
Landlords may also do temporary repairs until the problem can be resolved more fully.
Myth 5: I can end my tenancy if my landlord doesn’t do repairs
Fact: You do not have the right to end your tenancy if your landlord doesn’t take steps to repair something. If you are looking to end your tenancy, check our Guide to Ending your Tenancy Early.
We do not advise that you sign a second agreement, until you know that you can end your first agreement. This is because you risk being liable to pay rent for two properties.
Other options include arranging repairs yourself and deducting costs from your rent, or taking your landlord to court. These options come with their own risks which you should consider carefully and they might not resolve the issues quickly.
Myth 6: I can stop paying rent until my landlord does repairs
Fact: You should not stop paying your rent if your landlord does not do repairs. If you stop paying rent and have rent arrears, your landlord could start an eviction process. If you decide to withhold rent anyway, set the money aside and do not spend it. Pay the rent as soon as the problem is fixed.
You could negotiate a rent reduction if delays or repair work are disrupting your life, or you could ask for compensation even if your landlord does not agree to a rent reduction.
If you’re unsure how to ask for a rent reduction, check out Shelter England’s template letter.
If you live in University or Private Halls, you could use their complaints process to ask for compensation.
How do I tell my landlord about a problem?
- You landlord can only repair something if they know about it. Check your tenancy agreement to see who you need to tell and their contact details.
- Try using Shelter England’s email templates if you don’t know what to write. You may need to contact your landlord again if they do not reply to you.
- If your landlord does not respond to your requests, then you can contact your council’s private renting team. They may be able to speak to your landlord, if you give them permission, or they can refer you to environmental health if the problem is serious.
Need more advice?
We offer support and guidance for UCL students navigating the world of renting. Our trained and experienced advisors in the Students' Union UCL Advice Service are waiting to lend a helping hand.
We can’t provide legal advice, but can direct you to where to look for this if you need it.