Housing advice
We offer a range of support and advice to people who own their own home, those who rent privately or from housing associations or those looking for a home.
On this page you will find information about the most common topics we get asked for advice on.
If you are a landlord looking for advice, then we can also help. Visit our dedicate advice for landlords page for more information.
Your rights if you are renting
From the start of a tenancy, you have certain rights. If you are renting a room, a flat or a house from a private landlord you should ensure the following information is provided:
- Assured Shorthold Tenancy (ASTs) - even if you do not have a tenancy agreement, you still have rights
- Energy performance certificate
- Gas safety certificate
- Which safety deposit scheme is being used
It's your landlord's responsibility to repair most of the repairs in your home, you should notify them of any problems. Do not wait until the problem gets worse as it may cost more to correct. Read our procedure on enforcing housing standards.
Read more about your rights when renting privately on the Government’s website.
The Housing Ombudsmen has produced a guide to tenants’ rights when renting from social landlords (this includes housing associations).
The New Renters Rights Act
The new Renters Rights Act is coming into force on the 1 May 2026.
How will these changes affect you as a tenant?
These changes have been designed to make renting fairer, safer, and more secure. It will change how the private renting works and it gives tenants stronger rights.
The biggest changes for Tenants
Assured Shorthold tenancies are ending
Your agreement will change from an Assured Shorthold tenancy to an Assured tenancy, and you will have stronger rights. Even if you signed an agreement that says something different. This change will happen automatically. On 1 May 2026 your existing tenancy will also become ‘periodic’ and will continue on a monthly basis. Even if you’ve already signed a fixed term contract.
The end of ‘no-reason’ evictions
Your landlord will no longer be able to use a ‘no reason’ section 21 notice to evict you. Instead, your landlord will only be able to evict you if they have a legal reason called a ‘ground’, for example, if you are in rent arrears or are committing antisocial behaviour.
If your landlord gives you a valid eviction notice before the changes happen, your tenancy will not become assured straight away. Your landlord could still ask the court for a possession order to evict you, but the landlord will only have a limited time to do this. The eviction can be stopped if the notice you are given is deemed invalid.
Tell the court if the notice is not valid. You’ll have an assured tenancy and stronger rights if the court agrees.
Ending your tenancy
If you want to end your tenancy, you’ll need to give a longer notice of two months instead of the current one month. That’s unless you and the landlord agree a shorter
Fairer Rent Increases
Your landlord will only be able increase your rent by giving you a Section 13 rent increase notice can only do it once per year.
They’ll also have to give you two months’ notice of an increase instead of one.
If you don’t think the new rent is in line with market rent levels in your area, you’ll have six months from the start of your tenancy to ask a tribunal to review it.
An End to Discriminatory Practices
The Act bans blanket policies like ‘no pets’, ‘no DSS’ and ‘no kids’, meaning landlords must consider each request fairly. Tenancy clauses that say you cannot have a pet will not apply after the law changes, despite what your agreement previously stated. However, some properties may not be suitable for pets or big enough for larger families, so it is important that clear communication between you and Landlord.
The main changes will be:
Currently
- You can be given a Section 21 Eviction notice for no reason
- There are no limits to rent in advance
- Your landlord might pressure you to agree to a rent increase at any time
- You might have a fixed term tenancy which makes it hard to leave early
- You can often give one months’ notice to end a periodic Assured Shorthold Tenancy
- Your landlord can refuse permission for you to have a pet. They do not have to give a reason.
From 1 May 2026
- Your landlord will need a legal reason to evict you with a Section 8 notice.
- Your landlord can only ask for one month’s rent in advance
- Your landlord can only increase your rent once a year.
- You will have a periodic tenancy which will make it easier to leave by giving notice
- You will need to give at least two months’ notice to end a Periodic Assured Tenancy
- You will have the right to ask your landlord permission to keep a pet. The landlord will only be able to refuse your request if they have a good
Your rights will not change if you’re a lodger, who lives with your landlord.
Find out more information about the Renter's Rights Act on the NRLA website.
Affording your rent or mortgage
If you are struggling to afford your rent then find out if you are entitled to receive housing benefit to cover all or some of the costs. Use a housing benefit calculator or make a housing benefit application, to see if you qualify.
View GOV.UK housing benefit calculator.
You can also speak to the National Housing Advisory Service for advice if you are struggling with debt or if you are having difficulty paying your rent or mortgage due to recent increases Use the NHAS (National Housing Advisory Service).
You can also read advice on what to do if you can’t pay your mortgage from Citizens’ Advice.
You can also find a range of information and more organisations you can contact on our Money Advice page.
Your landlord’s right to enter your home
There is a term in a tenancy agreements, under the Rent Act 1977 and the Housing Act 1988, that the tenant will let the landlord have access to the property and all reasonable facilities to carry out repairs which the landlord is entitled to do.
The landlord or agent is entitled to carry out periodic tenancy inspections.
The landlord or agent authorised by the tenant, at reasonable times of the day, can enter the property to inspect its condition and state of repair. They must give the tenant at least 24 hours notice in writing before they carry out such an inspection.
Dealing with pests in your home
If you are renting then you should contact your landlords as it is their responsibility to deal with the removal of pests.
If you own your own home and are receiving certain benefits, you may be able to get issues with rats, mice, fleas, cockroaches, bedbugs and wasps dealt with for free.
Find out more about free pest control from Worcestershire Regulatory Services.
If you own your own home and are not receiving the qualifying benefits then you will need to pay a private company to have the issue dealt with.
You can Find a Pest Controller on the British Pest Control Association website.
I am being harassed or threatened with illegal eviction by my landlord
If your landlord wants you to leave the property you are renting then they must follow the legal rules to lawfully evict you.
The rules vary according to your circumstances, but often mean that you will be given a written Notice to Quit or Notice of the Landlord’s Intention to Seek possession. These must be followed by a Possession Order obtained in the County Court.
An overview of the rules on evicting tenants can be found on the Government’s website.
Some landlords, if they cannot evict their tenants legally, will try to get them out by committing acts calculated to make them leave their home. This is called harassment. Examples of harassment include:
- Interfering with essential services such as the gas, electricity or water supply, etc.
- Threatening you with violence.
- Interfering with your possessions.
- Making you hand over the key to your home.
- Making you sign an agreement reducing your legal rights.
- Preventing access to shared facilities such as kitchen, bathroom and WC etc
Some landlords may force or lock their tenants out without following the correct legal procedures, usually when they do not have proper grounds for eviction. This is called illegal eviction.
As a council we have powers we can use to take action against landlords who act in this way. There are also actions you can take.
You can take private civil action against your landlord. A solicitor’s help may be free if you qualify for legal aid. Your solicitor may decide to apply to the Court for an injunction or Court Order to force your landlord to let you back into your home and/or stop harassing you.
In an emergency, an injunction can be obtained in a few hours but will normally take several days. An injunction is the most effective remedy if you are seriously troubled by your landlord. If it is disobeyed, the landlord risks possible imprisonment. Your solicitor may be able to sue the landlord for damages, for the trouble and inconvenience you have suffered and for any expenses, and to pay for any damage to your personal property.
If your landlord causes you serious problems after office hours, the police can sometimes intervene to prevent a breach of the peace.
Important: If your landlord claims to know the law and tells you that you must leave, DO NOT GO. Get advice immediately from us or a solicitor.
How to contact us
If you think your landlord is acting illegally in the way they are trying to evict you then please call our Housing Needs team on 01386 565020 or email
I am experiencing domestic abuse
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, call the National Domestic Violence 24 hour helpline on 0808 2000 247.
You can also see our dedicated domestic abuse page for more advice and support.
Overcrowding
Your home is overcrowded if:
- 2 people of a different sex have to sleep in the same room
- they are aged 10 or over
This doesn't apply to couples who share a room. Children under 10 are not counted.
Any room you can sleep in counts. Living rooms, dining rooms and studies count as rooms you can sleep in.
Find out more about overcrowding and what your options are on the Shelter website.