Residents living in the private rented sector in Norwich should expect and deserve to receive a high standard of rented accommodation. Unfortunately, in some cases, private rented accommodation fails to meet the legal standard and residents experience a range of harmful consequences ranging from poor health; fuel poverty; reduced life chances for children, unsafe housing conditions and in extreme cases early death.
Norwich City Council wants to raise standards in private rented accommodation by empowering tenants, encouraging best practice and taking action when it is needed. This charter sets out the standards that private landlords and agents must meet and aims to help people live in the private rented sector to have a better understanding of they can expect and if things go wrong, what they can do and where to get help.
Tenants must be treated fairly.
Before you move in
No discrimination
It is against the law to discriminate against your nationality, race, religion, sexuality, disability or gender. However, you will have to provide proof that you have a right to live in the UK.
Letting agency fees
Until letting agency fees are banned, they must be displayed clearly in agents’ offices and websites – you shouldn’t have to ask to see them.
Complaints
Agents must be registered with an independent organisation for dealing with complaints. The logo of the complaints redress scheme they belong to must be displayed.
Money protection
Ask whether your letting agent belongs to a client money protection scheme. These schemes protect any money you pay to the agent as deposit and rent - even if the agent closes down.
Fixtures and fittings
Do all the fixtures and fittings work – do the light switches work and water come out of the taps?
When you move in
Legal Information
Your landlord or agent must give you the government’s ‘How to Rent’ booklet when you move in.
Deposit protection
Your landlord must protect your deposit with one of three schemes, and provide you with proof, within 30 days of taking your deposit money. (TDS, DPS, my deposit logos).
Tenancy terms
Your tenancy terms must be fair and understandable. You shouldn’t be hit with surprise fees.
Rent increases
Your rent should not go up during the fixed period of your tenancy.
Tenancy agreement
Good landlords/agents will provide a written tenancy agreement. At a minimum, they must put in writing the address of the room or flat, length of the agreement, the rent you will pay and the landlord’s name and contact address.
Moving out
Landlords must follow a strict legal process if they want you to move out - and that process takes time. If your landlord or agent wants you to move out, get immediate advice.
Permission to rent
Check that your landlord has the necessary permission to rent. You can check what permission they need on our website.
A safe and secure home
Alarms
Your home must have a working smoke alarm on every floor. If you have a gas supply, decent landlords also provide carbon monoxide alarms.
Gas safety
If you have a gas supply, you must be given a valid gas safety certificate when you move in. Gas appliances must be checked by a certified Gas Safe engineer every 12 months.
Electrical safety
The wiring and any electrical items supplied with your home must be safe.
Reasonable repair
Your home must be safe, and its structure must be kept in reasonable repair.
Damp, mould and heating
Your home should be free from damp and mould problems and have heating that is controllable.
It’s your home!
Your landlord or agent must not disturb or harass you. Your landlord can only visit when it is convenient for you, unless it’s an emergency. They must give you at least 24 hours’ notice.
