What your landlord should do
The law sets down certain things that a landlord must do. Some responsibilities will be in the contract you sign but not all of what the landlord has to do will be written down in detail.
This information is a general guide as to what you can expect.
Before you move in...
The landlord should explain everything clearly so that you know exactly what the terms of the letting are, and should provide certain information about the property:
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You should not be asked to pay any money until you have signed the contract.
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You should be given a copy of the contract and any additional forms such as (guarantor agreements) to take away for 24 hours before signing.
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You should be told what the weekly rent is and whether you have to pay utility bills.
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Everything agreed such as repairs/changes should be written into the contract with completion dates.
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You should be shown a copy of the gas service record showing that any gas appliances (e.g. cooker/heating) has been checked within the last 12 months - visit the Gas Safe website to find out about safety certificates.
Large properties with 5 or more occupants and 3 or more floors requires an HMO licence. It is a criminal offence not to license a property, so if the landlord has not licensed the property you should look elsewhere. You can find out more at DirectGov.
Don't feel you have to sign a contract there and then, if the landlord puts pressure on you or says you will lose the property if you don't sign straight away, find another landlord to rent from. All good landlords will want you to take the contract away to get advice before signing.
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Picking up the keys - the first few days
Provided you have fulfilled all your obligations to make payments such as the deposit, and provide all required paperwork, the landlord should make the process of moving in as simple as possible.
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You should receive the keys and be able to move in the date your contract starts and each tenant should receive one set of keys.
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The property should be clean and free of rubbish.
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The property should have all the furniture agreed with the landlord
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Any work agreed with the landlord should have been completed (unless a later completion date had been agreed).
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The essential services such as gas/electricity/heating should all be connected and working
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The landlord should provide everything that was agreed in the contract e.g. broadband/ new furniture
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The landlord should provide information on how to work the heating and the burglar alarm code
If there are any problems the landlord should respond politely and quickly in resolving them.
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During your tenancy
The landlord should continue to maintain the property and provide good service dureing the tenancy.
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Within two weeks of paying your deposit your landlord should inform you which Tenancy Deposit Scheme they have used to protect your deposit. We recomend you contact the relevent scheme and check the Landlord has protected your deposit with them. You can find out more about deposits on our deposit page.
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The landlord should deal with any disrepair promptly - once you have informed them.You can find out more about how landlords should deal with disrepair on our disrepair page.
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The landlord must give you 24 hours notice if they or workmen intend to visit, unless it is an emergency.
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The landlord must ensure that essential services such as gas, water, electricity and heating remain in working order.
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Towards the end of your tenancy the landlord should provide information about what ypou must do to leave the property and to receive your deposit back, if this is not already in the contract.
You could use this template letter if your landlord is entering your property without asking.
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Accreditation Schemes
Leeds has two schemes that relate to standards. One is the Code of Standards (operated by Unipol) and the other Accreditation Scheme (Leeds City Council). If a landlord is a member of such a scheme there are further requirements they have to meet.
For more detailed information on what landlords need to do under the two schemes:
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