Advice for private sector tenants

Tenant rights

As a tenant you have a right to the enjoyment of your home and it should be safe, healthy and well maintained. Your landlord has legal obligations regarding the condition of their property and ensuring it meets legal requirements. 

Information about your rights as a tenant - Shelter website

House condition

If you live in private rented accommodation and the house or flat that you occupy is unsafe or lacking facilities then you should contact your landlord to let them know. If your landlord refuses to act or doesn't respond, then contact us. The property may need to be inspected.

Contact the council for your local area:

Allerdale area - email: housing.services@cumberland.gov.uk
Carlisle area - email: environmentalhealth@cumberland.gov.uk
Copeland area - email: envhealth@cumberland.gov.uk

If you choose to make a formal complaint against your landlord to the council, we will need to get in touch with them before an inspection takes place.

If there are faults or omissions for which the landlord is responsible then we will formally write to them with an inspection report, listing the hazards found in the property and what corrective action is required.

Housing conditions are assessed in accordance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

Your landlord will usually be responsible for structural repairs, fixtures and fittings and maintenance of services, gas and electrical installations. This may be detailed in your tenancy agreement.

Damp and mould

Damp and mould growth can be problematic in homes and is especially problematic throughout the winter months. The exact cause of damp, mould and condensation in your home is not always easy to identify because there may be several reasons for it developing.

Find out more about damp and mould.

Landlord responsibilities

Electrical safety

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) 2020 require that landlords have property electrics checked at least every five years by a properly qualified person.

The electrics must meet standards and landlords must give their tenants proof of this.

Private housing smoke and carbon monoxide regulations

Find out about the regulations for landlords and tenants on Gov.uk 

Energy efficiency in privately rented homes

There are rules around the energy efficiency of privately rented homes and Energy Performance Certificates. 

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides tenants with a sign of the energy efficiency of a property. 

All privately rented properties need to have an Energy Performance Certificate and it is an offence not to provide a tenant with an EPC at the beginning of a tenancy.

Energy Performance Certificate finder tool. 

Other houses

If an adjacent property that is empty or in poor condition is directly affecting your property, contact our Environmental Health Team.

Allerdale area - email: housing.services@cumberland.gov.uk
Carlisle area - email: environmentalhealth@cumberland.gov.uk
Copeland area - email: envhealth@cumberland.gov.uk

Redress schemes for lettings agents and property managers

All residential letting and property management agents are required to join one of three government-approved redress schemes.

• The Property Ombudsman 0172 233 3306
• The Ombudsman Service (Property) 0330 440 1634
• The Property Redress Scheme 0208 275 7131.

Legal Advice

The following organisations may be helpful if you need legal advice.

• Citizen Advice Bureau: 01228 633900
• Cumbria Law Centre: 01228 515129
• Leasehold Advisory Service: 020 7383 9800.