A tenancy agreement (or occupation contract in Wales) contains many of the things that a tenant (or contract holder in Wales) can and cannot do at the property. Although a tenant and landlord may negotiate some of the terms of their tenancy agreement or occupation contract, some rights and obligations will always or usually be included. These include certain general tenant responsibilities, such as:
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paying the rent
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paying all utility bills and sometimes council tax and water rates
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keeping the interior in good repair
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not subletting the property without permission
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allowing the landlord to carry out periodic checks to inspect the property
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fixing any breakages
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not damaging the property
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ensuring that any guests are well behaved and do not, for example, damage the property
The landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structure and exterior of the property, whilst the tenant must usually keep the property clean.
On a practical point, at the start of a letting, make sure the tenant understands what repairs (if any) they are required to carry out under the agreement, and what decoration they’re permitted to carry out, to avoid any confusion.
For more information on tenants’ rights, read Tenants’ rights.