What Rights Do Tenants Have in London?

Tenants have a lot of rights in London, including living in properties with a good state of repair, having their deposits protected and laws preventing unfair evictions.

If you’re planning to rent a property in London, you’re probably wondering what your legal rights are. As a renter, it can be hard to know what the latest legislation around evictions, rent increases and landlord disputes are.

Here, we break down everything need to know about your tenant rights in London, including the upcoming 2024 Renters’ Rights Bill changes.

Your Rights As A Tenant in London

 

As a UK tenant, you have a number of legal rights including:

 

1. Right To A Safe and Well-Maintained Home

Your landlord is legally required to:

• Keep the property in a good state of repair.
• Make sure it meets safety regulations, including gas, electrical, and fire safety.
• Fix any hazards like damp, mould, or structural damage within a reasonable timeframe.

Resource: If your landlord refuses to make repairs, report them to your local council’s environmental health department.

 

2. Right To Get Your Deposit Back

• Your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. You can ask for proof of this if you want to.
• If they fail to do this, any eviction notice is invalid.
• You can challenge deductions that you think are unfair through the deposit protection scheme’s dispute resolution service. The landlord then has to go through the official process of proving this with you.

Resource: Check if your deposit is protected here: Gov.uk Deposit Protection Checker

 

 

3. Right To Know Who Your Landlord Is

• If you rent through a letting agent, you have the legal right to know the name and address of the property owner.
• Landlords must provide this information within 21 days of your request.

 

4. Protection from Illegal Evictions

Your landlord cannot evict you without following the legal process:

1. Issue a valid notice (Section 21 or Section 8).
2. Get a court order if you refuse to leave.
3. Use court bailiffs for the final eviction.

Illegal eviction is a criminal offence. If your landlord tries to force you out, report them to your local council or Shelter UK.

 

5. Right to Challenge Unfair Rent Increases

• Landlords can only increase rent once per year (new law coming in 2024).
• You must receive at least two months’ written notice.
• If you believe the increase is unfair, you can challenge it at a First-tier Tribunal.

 

6. Right to Quiet Enjoyment

• Your landlord must give 24 hours’ notice before visiting.
• If they enter without permission, it is trespassing.
• Harassment by a landlord (e.g., threats, constant visits) is illegal.

 

7. No More No-Fault Evictions (2024 Law Change)

• Section 21 evictions (no-fault evictions) are being scrapped in 2025.
• Landlords will only be able to evict tenants for legally valid reasons, such as rent arrears, property damage or selling the home.

 

8. Right to Keep Pets

• Under the new law, landlords cannot unreasonably refuse tenants from having pets.
• They can ask tenants to take out pet insurance to cover potential damage, which tenants must do at their request.

 

Your Responsibilities As A Tenant

 

While you have legal protections, you also have responsibilities as a tenant, including:

• Paying rent on time.
• Keeping the property in good condition.
• Allowing reasonable access for repairs (with proper notice).
• Not subletting without permission.

Failure to meet these obligations could result in legal action or your landlord having a case for eviction. Remember, landlords have rights too.

 

Common Tenant Problems & How to Deal With Them

 

1. My landlord is increasing my rent – do I have to pay it?

No. Rent can only increase once a year with two months’ notice. You can challenge excessive increases.

 

2. My landlord refuses to return my deposit – what can I do?

Check if your deposit is in a protection scheme and challenge deductions through dispute resolution.

 

3. My landlord is trying to evict me unfairly – what are my rights?

Do not leave immediately. Stay until they get a court order and seek legal advice.

Resource: You can get free legal advice from Citizens Advice.

 

4. My landlord harasses me or enters my home without permission

Keep records of all incidents and report them to your council’s housing department.

 

The 2024 Renters’ Rights Bill: Key Changes for London Renters

 

The UK government is introducing a few major changes to the private rental sector. Here’s what’s coming:

• End of No-Fault Evictions (Section 21) – landlords must provide valid reasons for eviction.
• Periodic Tenancies for All – no more fixed-term tenancies; agreements will roll on a monthly basis.
• Stricter Property Standards (Decent Homes Standard) – landlords must maintain properties to a higher standard.
• Banning Rental Bidding Wars – tenants will not be forced into paying above the listed rent.
• New Private Rented Sector Database – landlords must be registered to increase transparency.
• New Ombudsman Scheme – tenants can easily resolve disputes with landlords.
• Rent Increase Limits – rent hikes will be limited to once per year and must follow reasonable market rates.

 

Tenants Rights In London: What You Need To Know

Tenant rights in London are stronger than ever, but many renters don’t know their full legal protections. With the 2024 Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords will face more regulation and accountability.

If you’re a London landlord looking for a London-based property management company to navigate these laws, get in touch with the team at J Property Management today by emailing info@jpropertymanagement.co.uk.