Renting from Private Landlords
Carlisle City Council works alongside private
sector landlords to ensure that satisfactory standards of living
accommodation are achieved throughout the district.
Things you might want to know
about:
Things you may want to
do:
Your Rights and Responsibilities
As a Private Tenant you have rights and
responsibilities:-
Rights
- To be allowed to live peacefully in your
home.
- Not to be forced to leave your home without
the correct notice
Responsibilities
- To abide by the terms and conditions of the
tenancy agreement
If you want to leave your home, you should
give at least 4 weeks notice in writing to your landlord. If you
want to leave before the end of the agreed term, your landlord can
insist that you pay rent until the end of the fixed term. You
should give as much notice as possible to avoid problems getting
back any deposit you may have paid to your landlord.
Your landlord does have a legal right to
access your home to carry out inspections or repairs as long as he
gives you reasonable notice, (at least 24 hours), unless it is an
emergency.
Your landlord can ask you to leave at any time
after the six months, providing any fixed term you agreed when you
move in has ended. He must give you two months notice in writing
that he wants you to leave.
Your landlord can apply to the County Court
for a Court Order ending the tenancy at any time for certain
reasons laid down in law. These include rent arrears, anti-social
behaviour and damage to the property.
Your landlord cannot evict you without a
possession order from the County Court. If you have problems with
your landlords trying to force you out of your home, please contact
the Housing Advice Team at the Council.
Repairs
It is unacceptable for landlords to ignore their duty to carry
out essential repairs to your property. If you live in a
private rented property, and your landlord is not carrying out
essential repairs, let us know by calling 01228 817200 or emailing
housing@carlisle.gov.uk.
Harassment and Illegal Eviction
Please see the harassment and illegal
eviction page.
Landlord Accreditation Scheme
The Council runs a landlord accreditation scheme,
which recognises and rewards landlords who manage their
properties to a good standard. You can find more about it on
the landlord accreditation service
page.
Advice for renting in the current financial climate
The City Council has produced a leaflet giving guidance to those people renting,
or potentially renting, in the private sector.