Accredited landlord – a member of a scheme that trains and supports landlords to understand the law and treat tenants fairly.
Appliances – things like cookers, fridges, freezers, vacuum cleaners or irons.
Assured shorthold tenancy – when you rent a property:
● that is private (not a business)
● that is your main home
● where the landlord doesn't live.
Carbon monoxide – a dangerous gas that gas boilers, open fires or log burners give off if they are not working properly.
Code of practice – a guide that says how people who do a certain job should behave and keep to the law.
Deposit – when you pay money to promise to do something. For example, to rent a flat or keep to the tenancy agreement. You usually get this back.
Deposit protection scheme – the way that your landlord must make sure your deposit money is safe and ready to give back when your tenancy ends.
Energy Performance Certificate – a report that says how much it costs to heat and run a house.
Fixtures and fittings - Fixtures are things like cupboards that are attached. Fittings are hung up like pictures or mirrors and might not be included in a rented home.
Guarantor - someone who agrees to pay the rent and for any damage if you do not pay.
Holding deposit – money you pay the landlord to hold the property for you and not rent it to anyone else, which you can then get back.
Insurance – when you pay money to a company who pay to replace things that are lost, stolen or damaged.
Landlord – the person who owns the room, flat or house.
Letting agent - letting agents work for the landlord and collect rent and other money from you.
Licence – permission to do something as long as you keep to any rules or laws and behave properly.
Lodger – someone who pays to live in your home with you.
Give notice – tell someone officially a date you want to do something.
Property – something that belongs to a person. The landlord's property is the house, flat or room that you rent.
Redress scheme - an organisation that can sort out problems between you and the letting agent or landlord.
Responsibilities - things you must do.
Rights – things that must happen for you.
Rolling tenancy – a tenancy that does not end on a set date.
Scam – when someone cheats you out of money.
Smart meter – a meter that records how much electricity you use and sends it straight to the company, they can help you save money.
Section 21 – a notice from your landlord that they want you to leave by a set date.
Tenancy – an agreement between the landlord who owns the room, flat or house and the tenant who rents it.
Tenant – the person who rents the room, flat or house.
