Help for private sector tenants

When you rent a property, you generally need to return it in the same condition as you found it. Some unavoidable wear and tear should be allowed.

Keep this in mind if you want to redecorate because any changes need to be put back. 

The key point to remember is the property isn’t yours. For example, you can’t just put up shelves without permission. If you want to make permanent changes, the best thing to do is get it written in the contract from the outset.

If you plan to repaint the walls a different colour or make any other changes, first get your landlord’s permission in writing. Otherwise you might need to paint them back to the original colour before you move.

Tell your landlord about the problem in writing and give them a fair amount of time to fix it.

It could damage your relationship with your landlord if they hear about it first from us.

• your landlord’s contact details – including name, address, phone number and email address
• a scanned copy of the tenancy agreement, if you have one
• a few photographs of the problem you want dealt with
• contact details for any agent, surveyor or person that has been dealing with the matter on your landlord’s behalf

Inspection reports

We don’t create inspection reports, so we can’t provide them to you.

However, if we need to serve a legal notice on the landlord to order that repairs are done, you are usually sent a copy of that.

If you, or your solicitor, need an inspection report to help with litigation or a compensation claim against a landlord, you can engage your own surveyor or private environmental health officer.

Requests for rehousing

We focus on getting substandard housing made safer, so you can continue to live in your privately rented home. We only recommend the rehousing of tenants in exceptional circumstances.

If you are unhappy in your home, see housing options and advice for guidance about the choices available to you.

Overcrowding due to families increasing in size

Our overcrowding powers only apply where the landlord is responsible for the problem.

We have no power to take action where a property has become overcrowded because your family has increased in size.

See housing options and advice for guidance about the choices available to you.

Report the problem to your housing association landlord before you contact us.

We may ask you to show us documents and a complaint reference number from your landlord to confirm you contacted them.

Rent repayment orders allow tenants to claim back up to 12 months’ rent, housing benefit or universal credit when the landlord has committed an offence.

The housing charity Shelter has lots of information about rent repayment orders, including:

• offences that can result in a rent repayment order
• applications for a rent repayment order
• how a rent repayment order is made
• rent repayment order amount

Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people, which funds organisations that help single homeless people find and then keep a private rented home.

Digs campaigns for a better deal for people renting locally. They’re a private tenant information and support group, run by Hackney renters, for Hackney renters.

Digs activities include:

• providing information workshops for Hackney renters
• offering mutual support to tenants like us
• training for ‘tenant champions’ across Hackney
• hosting an online platform for support
• campaigning for a better deal for tenants

Digs support anyone who is renting privately in Hackney or who is homeless or insecurely housed and trying to find a home in Hackney’s private rented sector. Membership is free and open to all.

The CAB provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to people on their rights and responsibilities.

Based in Mare Street, the bureau also offers advice at a very wide range of venues including GP surgeries and children’s centres across the borough.

Hackney Community Law Centre is a charity employing solicitors and paralegals to provide free and independent legal advice and representation to people living, working or studying in Hackney and neighbouring boroughs.

The law centre provides legal advice and representation in the following areas:

• debt problems
• housing problems
• immigration and asylum
• employment rights
• discrimination
• welfare benefits

Shelter is a national charity that works to alleviate distress caused by homelessness and bad housing, through provision of free, confidential advice, information and advocacy.