Jargon buster

The owner of the property that is being rented.

Properties that are occupied by a number of people. The property must comply with further legislation. 

A tenancy where there are two or more tenants who all have equal rights and responsibilities during a tenancy. As joint tenants of a tenancy, the tenants have joint and several liability. This means that the landlord can recover the whole debt (i.e. rent arrears) from any of the Tenants named on the tenancy agreement. The joint Tenant would then have to recover these monies from the other joint Tenants. 

A legal contract that allows you to live in the property for a particular length of time, subject to the terms being kept to.

A document agreed between two parties and which binds both parties to complete the transaction.

A sum of money (usually a minimum of one month’s rent in advance) paid to the landlord (or agent) of the property, which is returned at the end of the tenancy, subject to the condition of the property. Your landlord must put your deposit in a government-approved tenancy (TDP) if you rent your home on an assured shorthold tenancy. Find out more at: gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

Someone (usually a parent) who is prepared to guarantee rental payments and other obligations of a tenancy. The guarantor will be liable for rental payments if a tenant is unable to pay them, so the guarantor will need to have a regular income. 

Obligations made by either landlord or tenant. When a landlord lets out their property, these terms are usually “restrictive”. This means that you cannot do such as keep pets or hang washing out of windows.

These are normally electricity, gas and water. Some landlords include utilities in the rent so check before you sign the contract. 

Checking an applicant’s suitability as a proposed Tenant, their ability to be able to pay the rent and also the applicant’s track record in earlier rentals. Landlords and agencies usually contact the University for a reference if you have already lived on campus.

These are certain acts which must be undertaken by a Landlord or a Tenant. 

Any disrepair or damage to a property that the Tenant is responsible for.  

The day to day deterioration of a property through normal use. This is different from dilapidations or damage.

A list of the contents and condition of the property. Check this as soon as you move in as you could be charged for any damage that was there when you moved in if you don’t tell the landlord. If there isn’t one, write your own and send it to the landlord.  

All assured shorthold tenants have a statutory Right to Quiet Enjoyment. This doesn’t mean if you are noisy or cause a disturbance to your neighbours, but to you being able to live in the property without disturbance from the landlord that could interfere with the peace and comfort of the tenant, e.g. harassment or illegal eviction. 

When a tenant asks for permission to end a tenancy before it is due to expire. 

When a landlord has to get permission from the courts to get you to leave a property. 

A fee or charge for violating terms. 

Where rent has not been paid by the due date. If you leave the property with rent arrears, you may find it difficult to rent another property. 

Fixtures are things that are physically ‘fixed’ to the property and can’t be easily moved or lifted. Fittings are either free-standing (like most household furniture) or loosely attached with nails or screws (like pictures, hooks, etc.).

Want an easy way to remember this? Imagine tipping the property on its side. Anything that stays in place is a fixture. Anything that falls out is a fitting!