Health and safety advice for private tenants

Making sure the property you are renting is safe

Your landlord or letting agent has a legal obligation to make sure the property you are renting is safe and free from health hazards. You may be able to take action against your landlord if there are problems with the property. 

Damp and mould

Landlords must ensure that the accommodation they provide is free from serious hazards, including damp and mould, and that homes are fit for habitation. They must treat cases of damp and mould with the utmost seriousness and act promptly to protect their tenants’ health. 

Find more advice on how to deal with damp and mould in a private rented home.

Gas safety 

Landlords are responsible for ensuring gas appliances and flues are safe. They must also arrange annual safety checks, and provide tenants with the gas safety certificate. 

Find out more about your landlord’s gas safety obligations.

Fire safety

Your landlord should have received a letter reminding them about their responsibilities for fire safety in your building. This includes a fire safety checklist to help you make sure your building is safe.

If you're a resident in a high rise building, you should check your landlord is carrying out their responsibilities for fire safety.

Find out more about your landlord's fire safety obligations.

Health and safety laws that protect tenants

It is important that you understand your rights as a tenant. There are a number of resources to help you if you think your landlord is breaking the law.

Fitness for Human Habitation Act 2018

If rented houses and flats are not ‘fit for human habitation’, tenants can take their landlords to court without relying on the local authority to do so.

The court can make the landlord carry out repairs or fix health and safety problems. The court can also make the landlord pay compensation to the tenant. 

For more information read the Guide for tenants: Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.

Tenant Fees Act 2019

A landlord or agent cannot charge you or use your tenancy deposit to pay for damages or repairs you are not responsible for. For more information read the Tenant Fees Act 2019: Guidance for tenants.

Help if you think your landlord is breaking health and safety regulations

Contact the council's Private Sector Housing team or Justice for Tentants if you need advice or think your landlord if breaking health and safety regulations.

Rent Repayment Orders

A Rent Repayment Order forces a private landlord to refund tenants up to 12 months rent.

Rent Repayment Orders can be rewarded if your landlord has not complied with a council notice, including notices about health and safety issues.