Your landlord must give you a rent book. The rent book must contain specific information. If your tenancy began on or after 1 April 2007, your landlord must give you the rent book to keep within 28 days of the tenancy being granted.

The rent book has to be given to you free of charge. The exact details that should be in your rent book may depend on when your tenancy started - before or after 1 April 2007.

My tenancy began before 1 April 2007

Your rent book should contain:

• your name;
• your address;
• the name, address and telephone number of the landlord and agent (if there is one);
• the amount of rent and rates you must pay;
• the period covered by each rent payment;
• the NAV of the property;
• the amount and purpose of your deposit;
• the conditions when your landlord can keep your deposit;
• the amount and purpose of any other payment (for example, heating);
• when your tenancy starts;
• the length of your tenancy;
• how much notice to quit you need (this must be at least four weeks);
• who is responsible for carrying out repairs.

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My tenancy began after 1 April  2007

Your rent book should contain:

• your name;
• your address;
• the name, address and telephone number of the Landlord;
• the name, address and telephone number of the letting agent (if there is one);
• the amount of rent and rates you must pay;
• the period covered by each rent payment;
• capital value of the property (after 1 April 2007);
• the amount and purpose of any other payment (for example, heating);
• when your tenancy starts.

The rent book should also outline the basic rights of all private tenants. If you have a protected tenancy , your rent book should outline the extra rights of protected tenants.

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Is it important to get a rent book?

A rent book is a record of the rental payments made in respect of the property you rent. A rent book can also help you identify your basic rights. It should make it easier if you have problems with your landlord about issues such as:

• responsibility for rates
• deposits
• harassment
• illegal eviction.

A rent book should be provided to you as well as your tenancy agreement and tenancy statement, if applicable. A rent book will make it easier to claim housing benefit if your landlord refuses to complete the housing benefit application form. The Housing Executive should accept the rent book as a reasonable alternative to the Certificate of Occupation.

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My landlord won't give me a rent book

Your landlord is committing a criminal offence if they don't give you a rent book and can be fined for not doing so. Contact your local council if you don't have a rent book.

If your tenancy began after 1 April 2007, your landlord must provide you with a rent book within 28 days of the start of your tenancy and may be fined up to £2,500 if they don't.

If your tenancy began before 1 April 2007, your landlord could be fined up to £500 for not providing you with a rent book.

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