Doncaster Council

Help with Private Rented Accommodation

Staff at Doncaster Council may be able to help you deal with problems in any type of private rented accommodation.

When you have found a house or flat that you want to rent, and you have agreed terms with your landlord you should always get a written tenancy agreement. This should set out what you are responsible for, and what your landlord is responsible for. Keep this in a safe place so that you can refer to it in the future if you are unsure about anything.

What are the main types of tenancy agreement?

There are two main types of tenancy agreement:

• Assured Shorthold Tenancy and Assured Tenancy (Council tenants have a different type of tenancy agreement).                  

Assured Shorthold Tenancy

This is the most common form and sets out a fixed period for the tenancy to run which is generally 6 or 12 months. (It cannot be less than 6 months). When this period ends, the landlord can regain possession after giving you at least two months notice to quit. If you receive notice to quit and you are unsure what to do, you can contact us for advice.

When the two months notice period expires, the landlord cannot simply turn you out of the house. The landlord must go to court and be granted an order to have you evicted if you have not already moved out.

Assured Tenancy

With an assured tenancy your landlord cannot demand a possession order to have you evicted at the end of a fixed period. Provided that you comply with the terms of the agreement your tenancy is secure.

Do I have to pay a deposit or a bond?

The landlord may ask for a deposit or bond (usually one months rent) to cover the cost of any damage which may be caused during the tenancy. If everything is satisfactory at the end of the tenancy, then the bond must be returned.

How do I end a tenancy?

Check what your agreement says about the period of notice that you have to give to the landlord.

If you are an assured shorthold tenant, you cannot end your tenancy part way through the agreed minimum period without the agreement of your landlord, and you may have to pay the balance of rent for the 6 or 12 month period. 

If you have an inventory of items check this when you request your bond to be returned. Leave the flat in a clean condition, and remove any rubbish or unwanted furniture that is yours. 

Arrange for meters to be read when you leave.

Who is responsible for the cost of repairs to the property?

Responsibilities of the landlord

The law says that a landlord is responsible for keeping in repair the structure and exterior of the house.

This includes the appliances that provide heating and hot water and the electrical system.

Another example would be if you had problems with damp caused by missing roof tiles or leaking rainwater gutters.

Landlords must arrange for any gas appliances to be checked every year by a qualified person and give the tenant a copy of the inspection report. The landlord should make sure that the electrical wiring is safe but does not have to inspect it every year.

Where repairs are needed, you should contact the landlord first.

Contact the Council if your landlord will not carry out repairs that you think are needed.

Responsibilities of the tenant

The law says that tenants must use the property in a reasonable way. This means that they should not damage the property or allow guests to damage it. Tenants should keep the property clean and carry out the very minor repairs including light bulbs or replacing blown fuses. They should take reasonable steps to protect the property including locking doors or turning the water off during cold weather if they are away from home.

Unless the tenancy agreement says otherwise, tenants are responsible for internal decoration and replacing window or door glass which they or their guests break.

There is an empty property on my street and it is giving me cause for concern. What can I do?

eform:Report an Empty Property

We will visit the property. We will contact the owner and ask their intentions for the property. We will offer advice and assistance to the owner to help bring the property back into use. All necessary action, legal or otherwise, will be taken to return the property to use.

Need more help or information?

Contact the Private Sector Housing Team on the contact information given at the top of this web page.

Alternatively you can complete this online report form:

eform:Private Sector Housing Online Report Form