Guide for tenants

Tenant Responsibilities

Tenant’s Guide: Heating & Ventilation

Maintaining a healthy balance between heating and ventilation is a key responsibility for any tenant. Getting this right not only makes your home more comfortable but also prevents the build-up of condensation, which is the leading cause of damp and mould. Under the 2026 Decent Homes Standard, landlords must provide efficient heating, but tenants are responsible for using it correctly to look after the property.

1.The Golden Rule of Heating

To keep your home healthy, the goal is to maintain a consistent “background” temperature.

Keep it Steady: It is more energy-efficient (and better for the building) to keep your heating on a low, constant setting (around 18–20°C) than to blast it on high for short bursts.
Avoid Cold Spots: If one room is left unheated, moisture from the rest of the house will migrate there and condense on the cold walls. Try to keep all rooms at a minimum of 15°C, even those you aren’t using.
Radiator Care: Ensure furniture isn’t pushed directly against radiators, as this blocks heat from circulating.

2. Strategic Ventilation

Ventilation isn’t about letting all the heat out; it’s about letting the “wet” air out.

The 20-Minute Refresh: Open your windows for just 20 minutes a day to allow fresh, dry air to replace the moisture-heavy air inside. Dry air is actually cheaper and faster to heat than damp air!
Trickle Vents: If your windows have small plastic vents at the top, keep them open at all times. They provide a constant, draught-free flow of air that is essential for preventing condensation.
Close the Doors: When cooking or showering, keep the door to that room closed and the window open (or extractor fan on). This stops steam from spreading to colder bedrooms.

3. Managing Moisture Day-to-Day

Everyday activities like breathing, cooking, and showering add litres of water to the air.

Drying Clothes: If you must dry clothes indoors, use a drying rack in a room with an open window and the door closed. Never dry wet clothes directly on radiators, as this sends moisture straight into the walls.
Cooking: Always use lids on pans and turn on your extractor fan before you start boiling water.
Furniture Placement: Leave a small gap (at least 2 inches) between your furniture and external walls. This allows air to circulate and prevents “trapped” moisture from turning into mould behind wardrobes or beds.

What to do if you spot Damp or Mould

In 2026, Awaab’s Law requires landlords to act quickly on reports of damp. However, your first line of defence is to:

Wipe it away: If you see “sweating” on windows or sills, wipe it down immediately with a dry cloth.
Report early: If you see small black dots or smell a musty odour, tell us immediately. Small issues are easy to fix; waiting could lead to damage to your belongings.

Garden & Yard Maintenance: A Tenant’s Guide

As a tenant, the garden or yard is a wonderful extension of your home. To ensure it remains a pleasant space for you to enjoy—and to help you avoid deductions from your security deposit—it’s important to understand your responsibilities regarding outdoor maintenance.

1. General Upkeep

In most standard tenancy agreements, the tenant is responsible for “seasonal maintenance.” This generally includes:

Lawn Care: Mowing the grass regularly during spring and summer months to keep it neat and manageable.
Weeding: Keeping flower beds, paths, and patio areas free from weeds.
Leaf Clearance: Raking up fallen leaves in autumn to prevent them from damaging the lawn or clogging drains.
General Tidiness: Keeping the area free of litter and ensuring that household waste (bins) is stored correctly.

2. What You Are Not Responsible For

Unless specifically stated in your contract, you are usually not expected to perform “specialist” gardening tasks. This includes:

Tree Surgery: Lopping or felling large trees.
Large Shrub Maintenance: Heavy pruning of established, tall hedges (usually anything above shoulder height).
Structural Repairs: Fixing broken fences, retaining walls, or sheds (unless the damage was caused by your negligence).

3. Patios, Driveways, and Yards

If your property has a paved yard or driveway rather than a lawn, maintenance is much simpler but still necessary:

Sweeping: Keep the area clear of debris to prevent moss or algae buildup.
Weed Control: Small weeds often pop up between paving slabs; a quick spray of weedkiller or manual removal keeps the area looking sharp.
Drainage: Ensure that external drains are clear of leaves and rubbish to prevent flooding during heavy rain.

4. Making Changes

We love it when tenants take an interest in gardening! However, if you want to make significant changes, please contact us first for written permission. This includes:

Digging up a lawn to create a vegetable patch.
Planting large shrubs or trees.
Painting fences or sheds.
Installing permanent structures like ponds or decking.

5. Essential Tools

While some landlords may provide a basic lawnmower (check your inventory), it is typically the tenant’s responsibility to provide the tools necessary for maintenance, such as shears, rakes, and gardening gloves.

Top Tip: If you aren’t a keen gardener, we recommend a “little and often” approach. Spending 20 minutes a week pulling weeds is much easier than trying to tackle a jungle at the end of your tenancy!

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Keeping You Safe

Your safety is our top priority. The smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home are lifesaving devices designed to give you the earliest possible warning in the event of a fire or gas leak.

While we ensure all alarms are working at the start of your tenancy, maintaining and testing them becomes your responsibility once you move in.

1. How to Test Your Alarms

Testing is a quick process that takes less than a minute. We recommend testing your alarms at least once a month (many people do this on the first day of every month).

Locate the Alarm: Most properties have smoke alarms on the ceiling of hallways and landings, and a CO alarm near the boiler or fireplace.
Press the Test Button: Press and hold the “Test” button for a few seconds.
Listen for the Sound: The alarm should emit a loud, piercing beep. If it does, your alarm is active and working.
Repeat: Do this for every alarm unit in the property.

2. Changing the Batteries

If the alarm makes a frequent, short “chirping” sound, it usually means the battery is low.

Replace Immediately: Most alarms take a standard 9V battery. Simply unclip the alarm from its base or open the battery drawer to replace it.
Test After Replacing: Always press the test button after changing a battery to ensure it has been installed correctly.

3. Cleaning Your Alarms

Dust and cobwebs can sometimes cause “false alarms” or prevent the sensor from working correctly.

Every few months, gently vacuum around the vents of the alarm using a soft brush attachment to keep the sensors clear.

4. What If the Alarm Fails the Test?

If you press the test button and there is no sound—even after you have replaced the batteries—you must contact us immediately. * Do not attempt to take the alarm apart or fix it yourself.

Never “mask” or cover an alarm (e.g., when cooking), as this prevents it from detecting smoke.

Important: It is a breach of your tenancy agreement to remove batteries from an alarm or to disable it. These devices are there to protect your life and your belongings.

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