If you are a licensee you have very few tenancy rights. You don't have the same basic rights as a tenant. It is very easy for your landlord to evict you. It may be difficult to get repairs carried out or challenge rent increases.

• Checking your status
  
• Your rent
  
• Repairs
  
• Protection from eviction
  

Checking your status

Most people think that they are tenants because they pay rent to a landlord. However, you may be a licensee. You are likely to be a licensee if:

• you live in the same building as your landlord,
• you live in a student hall of residence,
• you live in a hostel,
• you are sharing with friends or family.

If you are a licensee you have less rights. For example, it is much easier for your landlord to evict you.

It can be difficult to work out whether or not you are a licensee. Get specialist advice if you are unsure whether you are a licensee.

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Your rent

You pay the rent you agreed with your landlord when you moved in. If you don't pay the rent your landlord can evict you.

If you signed an agreement when you moved in, your landlord can't increase your rent until the end of this agreement. If you didn't your landlord can increase the rent at any time. You don't have the right to a rent book.

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Repairs

The law says your landlord must keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair. This includes:

• the roof,
• guttering,
• external walls,
• windows and doors.

Your landlord must keep the equipment for the supply of gas, electricity, heating, water and sanitation in good repair. Your landlord may have extra responsibilities to repair depending on what you agreed when you moved in.

You are responsible for minor repairs to the internal decorations. This might include unblocking a sink or changing a fuse when necessary. You may also have other responsibilities depending on what you agreed when you moved in.

Your landlord must have valid gas safety record checks for all gas appliances in the property. Only a gas engineer on the Gas Safe Register can issue a gas safety record. Any furniture provided should be fire resistant.

If your accommodation needs repairs tell your landlord immediately. If the repairs are your landlord's responsibility, there may be ways you can force your landlord to carry out the work. Remember that your landlord can evict you very easily if you try to force them to carry out repairs.

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Protection from eviction

Your landlord doesn't need to give you 28 days' notice to quit or get a court order to evict you. Your landlord usually only has to give you reasonable time to leave the property. This can be as little as a couple of hours or as long as a few weeks depending on your circumstances.

Check your agreement with your landlord if you have one. Your landlord will have to give you the amount of notice stated in this agreement. If there is no time limit mentioned then you are only entitled to a reasonable time to leave the property.

Get advice from Housing Rights Service or another advice agency if your landlord is trying to evict you immediately. If you are a tenant, not a licensee, your landlord is carrying out an illegal eviction. This is a criminal offence.

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