Plain-English answers to the questions tenants ask most

This is legal information, not legal advice. For advice, contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444, your local Citizens Advice, or a housing solicitor through the Law Society.

All renter questions answered

• I've received a Section 8 notice — what should I do?
  Plain-English steps after receiving a Section 8 eviction notice in England.
• How do I know if my Section 8 notice is valid?
  Validity checklist for Section 8 notices — form, dates, ground identification, notice period, service.
• Can my landlord evict me without going to court?
  No. Self-help eviction is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
• What replaced Section 21 after the ban?
  Section 8 grounds-based eviction replaced Section 21 from 1 May 2026.
• I got a Section 21 notice before 1 May 2026 — am I being evicted?
  Pre-1 May 2026 Section 21 notices are subject to a transition window.
• I owe rent arrears — can I stop a Ground 8 eviction?
  Bring arrears below the threshold by hearing date, raise disrepair counterclaim, or dispute rent calculation.
• My deposit was never protected — what can I claim?
  1× to 3× the deposit in compensation under Housing Act 2004 s.214.
• My deposit hasn't been returned after my tenancy ended
  Scheme dispute resolution or county court route under Housing Act 2004.
• How do I find out which deposit scheme my money is in?
  Use DPS, MyDeposits, and TDS online lookups to find your deposit.
• My landlord has increased my rent — is it legal?
  Section 13 notice, Form 4, 1-2 months notice, once-per-year limit, tribunal challenge.
• My landlord won't fix repairs — what can I do?
  Repair duty under section 11 LTA 1985. Council, court, and rent set-off routes.
• Is my landlord responsible for mould in my flat?
  Almost always yes — mould engages section 11 LTA 1985 and the Homes (Fitness) Act 2018.
• My landlord changed the locks — what should I do?
  Illegal eviction under PEA 1977. Police, council Tenancy Relations, emergency injunction.
• My landlord keeps entering without asking — is this allowed?
  24 hours written notice required. Repeated unannounced entry can be harassment.
• My landlord refused my pet request — can they?
  From 1 May 2026 you have a statutory right to request a pet. Landlords must respond reasonably.
• How long do I have to leave after a Section 8 notice?
  Notice periods vary by ground. You only leave when a court bailiff arrives.
• My landlord wants to sell — can they evict me?
  Possible via Ground 1A, but requires concrete sale evidence and 4 months notice.
• Universal Credit is late — can I be evicted?
  UC delays alone do not defeat the mandatory Ground 8. Useful for adjournments and as a reasonableness factor under Grounds 10/11.
• My Section 8 notice has mistakes — is it invalid?
  Material errors invalidate; minor typos are usually overlooked.
• My landlord is making unfair deductions from my deposit
  Use scheme dispute resolution to challenge unfair deductions.
• My landlord never sent prescribed deposit information
  Late or missing prescribed information triggers a 1-3x deposit penalty.
• Can my landlord increase rent during my tenancy?
  Only via Section 13 notice on Form 4, with the once-per-year cap.
• How do I challenge a rent increase at tribunal?
  Apply to the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber using Form Rents1.
• My landlord raised rent without a Section 13 notice
  An informal increase has no legal effect — pay the existing lawful rent.
• Can my landlord raise rent twice in one year?
  No — limited to once per 12 months under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
• My landlord won't fix the boiler
  Heating and hot water are landlord repairs under s.11 LTA 1985.
• How long does my landlord have to fix repairs?
  Reasonable time depends on urgency — hours to weeks.
• My landlord is refusing to fix damp
  Damp is landlord's duty under s.11 LTA 1985 and Awaab's Law.
• Emergency repair — my landlord won't act
  Council Environmental Health can intervene same-day.
• My landlord is threatening to evict me — is this legal?
  Threats without due process are harassment under PEA 1977.
• My landlord switched off my electricity or gas
  Illegal eviction and harassment under PEA 1977.
• Free tenant rights checkers
  Seven free interactive checkers covering Section 8, Section 21, deposits, rent increases, repairs, illegal eviction, and damp/mould.
• Renter rights guides
  Plain-language guides on eviction, deposits, rent increases, and the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Common questions

What kinds of questions are answered here?

High-intent practical questions from private renters in England, what to do when you receive a Section 8 or Section 21 notice, deposit disputes, rent-increase challenges, repair refusals, illegal eviction, and the new pet rights under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Is this legal advice?

No. These pages provide general legal information about English housing law. They are not advice on your specific situation. For advice, contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or your local Citizens Advice.

Are the answers free?

Yes. Every question and every linked checker is free to use. There is no signup, no advertising, and no paywall on the core information.

Use the interactive checker on getrentersrights.com for the full step-by-step result.