Insurance for Long Term Tenants

As a tenant, you have the right to privacy. This means that your landlord has to give you at least 24 hours notice before they enter your property. If they do not give you notice you have the right to refuse them entry. A landlord must also not lock you out of the property, interfere with your utility supplies, interfere with any of your possessions, take out windows or doors, refuse access to the property for your friends and family or use threatening behaviour against you.

By law your landlord must ensure that the property is in a decent liveable condition and is in a good state of repair. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that the basic structure of the property is safe, that any sanitary fittings such as toilets are in good working order, the heating and hot water systems are working and are safe and that any damage that is caused carrying out repairs is repaired. If your landlord carries out repairs which are not up to standard, you have the right to take them to court to seek proper repairs. Your landlord should also provide you with a gas safety certificate at the start of your tenancy which should confirm that the appliances in your home are safe. Your landlord should get a new certificate every year. They must also carry out checks on any electrical equipment in the property.

You also have the right to have your deposit returned to you at the end of the tenancy, minus any costs for repairs that have been made during your tenancy. If your tenancy was an assured shorthold tenancy agreement then your landlord would have had to put your deposit in a government approved deposit protection scheme.

If you are having problems with your landlord, then you may be able to get help from your local housing officer. You should get in touch with your local authority if you think this might help. Housing officers will be able to assist you when your landlord seriously neglects their responsibilities. This includes if you are being harassed or illegally evicted from your property, eviction law is taken very seriously and if your landlord does not follow the correct procedure, you have the right to take legal action against them. The housing officer will also be able to help if your landlord fails to supply you with rent books or fail to give you information regarding fees and insurance for long term tenants. They will also be able to help you if the utilities get cut off and you are living with an elderly person or a child.