Landlords provide safe homes with working heating and sanitary facilities in return for rent. Having paid the rent, the tenant has the legal right to live in the property as their own home. The following notes are for guidance and advice for specific issues which should be sought from specialists.
A tenancy agreement should define the amount of rent to be paid and when it should be paid. This will affect how the tenancy progresses and the legal conditions for ending the tenancy. It should also say when and how rent increases will be made. The tenancy agreement should also make it clear what is not covered by the rent. Tenants should check whether they are responsible for gas, electricity, Council Tax, water and sewerage rates, telephones and television licence bills.
A landlord can apply to a court to end a tenancy for several defined reasons called grounds in law, including where the tenant owes eight weeks or two months rent. To do this, the landlord must give the tenant notice that he or she will seek possession. If the rent arrears are still at the same level at that time of a court hearing, possession will normally be granted to the landlord.
Tenants with low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits may be able to get help through housing benefit. Contact Richmondshire District Council's Housing Benefits Team on 01748 829100 and ask to speak to a member of the Benefits Team or e-mail benefits@richmondshire.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can visit one of the Council's Community Offices, office opening times are Monday to Thursday 8:45 am - 5:15pm, Fridays 8:45am - 4:45pm.
Rents cannot be increased unless provision is made in a tenancy agreement, the tenant agrees or the landlord follows a specific legal procedure. That said there is scope for landlords to increase rents when tenancies, especially assured shorthold tenancies, are renewed. Rent increases can also affect Housing Benefit and tenants in receipt of it should contact the Council as soon as they are aware that an increase is due. A tenant may apply to a Rent Assessment Panel if they think a rent increase is excessive.
More Information on Paying Rent
Benefits Section : advice on Housing Benefit from the Council's Benefits team
Shelter : advice on payment of rent from national housing charity
Citizens Advice Bureau : information from national advice provider on private sector rents
DWP : information from the government department responsible for Housing Benefit
This page will be developed to provide private sector landlords and tenants in Richmondshire with useful information
It will take us some time to get this right - if you have any suggestions for content please contact us at landlords@richmondshire.gov.uk.
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Last updated:
08 July 2008
