renting guides
Practical, plain-English guides to renting in the UK. No legalese, no fluff - what to check, what you're owed, and how to push back.
How to check your landlord before you sign (2026 guide)
Registers, enforcement records, review sites and the two questions that reveal more than any database. Ten minutes of checking beats twelve months of regret.
Deposit not returned? The exact steps to get it back
Your deposit was probably protected by law - which means you have more power than you think. The process, the deadlines, and the penalty most landlords hope you never learn about.
The Renters’ Rights Act: what your landlord can no longer do
Since May 2026, some of the rental market’s worst habits are illegal. What changed, what’s still coming, and what to do when a landlord ignores the new rules.
These guides are general information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, contact Citizens Advice or Shelter.