Money Shots: Tenants' Rights
Frank Money tells VideoJug users all they need to know about tenants' rights. Make sure you are not being taken for a ride and know what you are entitled with this great, straight to the point video.
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Step 1:
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Tenancy agreements
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Tenancy agreements contain lots of useful information such as the length of your lease, the rights of you and your landlord and also the amount of rent you are going to have to pay. So read it carefully before you sign anything
The most likely agreement you're going to sign is an assured short hold tenancy agreement. That means that you can live in your accommodation for a period of time and that the landlord can repossess the property at the end of that tenancy.
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Step 2:
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Laws
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Once you have entered into a contract, you have a number of rights under several statutes. The Housing Act of 1988; the Family Law Act 1996, the Landlord And Tenant Act 1985, and the Protection From Eviction Act 1977.
Now these laws mean your landlord cannot do the following: -
1. Turn up uninvited, he has to give reasonable notice.
2. He's not allowed to neglect the place you are renting.
3. He cannot threaten you to leave, or offer money to vacate the premises.
4. He's not allowed to shut down utility supplies like gas, water or electricity.
5. He can't let other tenants threaten you.
6. He's also not allowed to prevent your friends from visiting.
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Step 3:
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Eviction
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There are two types of eviction - mandatory eviction and discretionary eviction.
Mandatory eviction can occur if:
- The owners gone bankrupt and the house is being repossessed.
- You are more than two months in arrears with your rent.
- You refuse or delay maintenance work to the building.
Discretionary eviction is a little bit different. You landlord has the right to ask the court to decide if eviction is necessary. It can come about if:
- You've broken the terms of your contract.
- You are consistently late in paying your rent.
- You told lies to get the property.
