Help and advice for tenants

Who is responsible for repairs?

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985 the landlord is responsible for repairs to:

The structure and exterior of the dwelling
Basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary installations in the dwelling
Heating and hot water installations.

The landlord is generally not responsible for repairs arising from damage caused by the tenant or for the rebuilding of the property in the event of fire, flood or any other inevitable accident.

For more information about private renting see the How to rent – GOV.UK.

Gas safety

Landlords have a legal duty to arrange gas safety checks of all gas appliances in rented properties every year. Your landlord should provide you with your own copy of a Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the check being completed. New tenants should also be given a copy of the latest record.

If you don’t have a current copy of the Gas Safety Record, ask your landlord to provide this. If they’re unable to do so, you can report this to the HSE.

Electrical safety

Landlords have a legal duty to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years. They must obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from the qualified person and provide a copy of this to their tenants, and to the local council if requested.

If you don’t have a current copy of the EICR, ask your landlord to provide this. If they’re unable to do so, you can report this to the Private Sector Housing Team.

Fire safety of furniture and furnishings

The landlord must ensure that any furniture and furnishings supplied meets the fire resistance requirements of the Furniture and Furnishing Fire Safety Regulations 1988. If your landlord provides furniture that does not comply with the regulations report it to Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards.

What can tenants do if these standards are not being met?

If you feel the property you are renting fails to meet required standards and the landlord fails to rectify any faults you have notified them of, you can contact the Private Sector Housing Team. They can investigate your concerns and advise you what action to take next.

Illegal eviction

It is an offence to harass a tenant by disrupting their peace or comfort, knowing this behaviour is likely to make the tenant leave, e.g. cutting electric, gas or water supplies persistently.

In the event of harassment, it must be shown that the landlord, their agent, or other perpetrator, is likely to have known that their conduct would cause the tenant to leave.

Harassment

It is an offence to harass a tenant by disrupting their peace or comfort, knowing this behaviour is likely to make the tenant leave, e.g. cutting electric, gas or water supplies persistently.

In the event of harassment, it must be shown that the landlord, their agent, or other perpetrator, is likely to have known that their conduct would cause the tenant to leave.

Renters’ Rights Act – Information for private tenants

The Renters’ Right Act will give tenants new protections, and greater security and stability. Changes come into effect from 1 May 2026 and include an end to in-year rent rises and Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notices, and an end to bidding wars and discrimination against families receiving benefits. Private renters will be able to appeal excessive above-market rent increases that try to force them out and landlords can no longer unreasonably refuse tenants’ requests to have a pet.

The government is due to publish a guide for tenants shortly. The charity Shelter has useful information on its website page Renters’ Rights Act – changes for private tenants and also has a video about the Renters’ Rights Act.