If you rent your home and it needs repairs you will need to discuss it with your landlord. As rights and responsibilities are different for private and social landlords, the sections below should help you find the best way to have the repairs completed.

If you are a private tenant and:

• you share your accommodation with your landlord, or
• you moved into your property after 28th February 1997
• you will have limited rights to stay in your home. This may put you in a difficult situation if you are in conflict with your landlord over their repairing obligations.

If you are not sure what rights you have as a tenant, you should always get advice from us. We will let you know what your rights are.

Below are a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) that may help you.

My accommodation needs repairs but my Landlord refuses to listen to me.

Landlords have a responsibility to maintain safe secure accommodation for their tenants.  In the event that those responsibilities are not attended to, one of the Environmental Health Officers within the HIT can visit the property to evaluate the problems.  They are able to insist that essential works are carried out.

My Landlord threatens to evict me for no particular reason, can he?

Tenants normally occupy properties on a formal tenancy basis which imposes conditions on both the tenant and the Landlord.  Any breach of conditions can ultimately result in an eviction; however there is a formal process that the Landlord must follow. 

My Landlord has changed the locks and placed my belongings outside.

In order to evict a tenant a Landlord must follow a specific formal process.  He cannot legally change locks and move belongings unless given consent by the courts.  The Environmental Health Officer from the HIT will investigate any such illegal evictions and can prosecute the Landlord for harassment. 

The flat/room I occupy is within a large building that houses many other people, I am concerned about my safety in the event of a fire.

There is specific legislation that applies to fire safety in rented property.  It is also likely that the property should be licensed.

The Environmental Health Officer from the HIT will investigate any such matters to ensure the property complies.