Paying Your Rent on Time

Rent is the foundation of your tenancy, and paying it in full and on time is the clearest signal you can send to your landlord that you are a reliable tenant. Check your tenancy agreement for the exact rent date, the amount, and the payment method the landlord expects. Most tenants find it easiest to set up a standing order that leaves their account two or three working days before the rent is actually due, so there is no risk of a bank delay or a weekend getting in the way.

Keep a simple record of every payment — a screenshot of the transfer or a bank statement is usually enough. If your circumstances change and you think you might struggle, contact your landlord or letting agent straight away rather than waiting for the rent date to pass. Most landlords would far rather agree a short-term plan than watch arrears build up. Be aware that persistent late payment or unpaid rent can lead to a formal arrears process and, in the worst cases, to possession proceedings, so it is always better to talk early.

Looking After the Property Day to Day

You are not expected to be a plumber or an electrician, but you are expected to treat the home with reasonable care. That means a handful of small jobs sit firmly on your side of the line, and doing them promptly protects both the property and your deposit.

• Replacing light bulbs and fuses, and resetting a tripped consumer unit if it is safe to do so.
• Bleeding radiators that have gone cold at the top, and topping up the boiler pressure if the manual explains how.
• Clearing a plug hole or sink trap blocked by hair or food waste.
• Keeping the garden tidy if one is included, and putting the bins out on the correct day.
• Ventilating bathrooms and kitchens to keep condensation and damp at bay.

You should also avoid making alterations — painting a room a bold colour, hanging a heavy mirror, putting up shelves — without written permission. The same applies to subletting a room or running a business from the address. These are common sources of disputes, and asking first costs nothing.

Reporting Repairs Promptly and Properly

Your landlord is responsible for keeping the structure and exterior in good repair, along with heating, hot water, sanitation, and the safety of gas and electrical installations. Your responsibility is to tell them when something is wrong. A dripping tap reported in March is a minor annoyance; the same tap ignored until December can mean water damage, a much larger bill, and an awkward conversation about who pays.

Put repair requests in writing, whether by email or letter, and keep a copy. Describe the problem clearly, mention anything that makes it urgent — no heating in winter, a leak near electrics, a broken lock — and offer sensible times for access. Report issues as soon as you notice them rather than saving them up for a single list at the end of your tenancy. Do not attempt repairs you are not qualified to carry out, especially anything involving gas, and never ignore a problem because you are worried about being blamed for it. Honesty about accidental damage is almost always cheaper than concealment.

Following the Tenancy Agreement and Being a Good Neighbour

Read your tenancy agreement properly before you sign it, and again once you have moved in. It will set out the rules on pets, smoking, guests staying for extended periods, and whether you can decorate. These clauses are not there to catch you out; they exist so that everyone knows what is expected.

Neighbourly behaviour matters more than many new tenants realise. Keep noise to reasonable hours, particularly late at night and early in the morning. Do not leave bags of rubbish or bulky items in shared hallways, and be careful about parking in spaces that belong to someone else. If you live in a flat, close communal doors gently and avoid leaving bicycles or pushchairs blocking fire escapes. Complaints from neighbours can escalate quickly, and a landlord who receives them may decide not to renew your tenancy.

Knowing Your Rights Alongside Your Responsibilities

Responsibilities run both ways, and understanding your rights makes you a more confident tenant. Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of payment, and you should receive the prescribed information about where it is held. You are entitled to a current gas safety record, an energy performance certificate, and working smoke alarms.

Your landlord or their agent should give you at least 24 hours' written notice before visiting, and visits should happen at reasonable times unless it is a genuine emergency. You have the right to live in the property without unnecessary interference — often called quiet enjoyment — and you cannot be evicted without the correct legal notice and process. If something feels wrong, ask for it in writing and seek advice from a tenants' advice service or your local council's housing team.

When the Tenancy Comes to an End

A well-managed tenancy ending is just as important as a well-managed one beginning. Check how much notice you need to give and give it in writing, keeping proof of the date. Allow reasonable viewings if the agreement requires it, and try to keep the property presentable.

• Clean the home thoroughly, including the oven, fridge and any carpets listed in the inventory.
• Take meter readings on your final day and pass them on, along with a forwarding address.
• Return all keys, including any spares you had cut, and get a receipt.
• Compare the property against the inventory and photograph anything you are unsure about.

Do these things and you stand the best chance of getting your full deposit back — and of leaving with a reference that will make your next move much easier.