Renting and the law

Renting and the law: your questions answered

Many home and garden problems become legal questions the moment you rent rather than own. These pages give plain-English answers to the ones tenants ask most: whether you can withhold rent for damp, whether complaining can get you evicted, who Awaab's Law actually covers, how to prove damp is a building fault, who pays for pest control, and whether you can be rehoused during major repairs. Each is general information cited to named UK sources such as gov.uk, Shelter and Citizens Advice, not legal advice.

This is general information, not legal advice, and housing law differs across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and changes over time. For advice on your situation, speak to Citizens Advice, Shelter or a housing solicitor.

Can I withhold rent because of damp and mould? There is no automatic right to stop paying. The proper routes explained. Can I be evicted for complaining about disrepair? Retaliatory eviction, and how the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 changed it. Does Awaab's Law cover private renters yet? Social landlords only for now, with the private-sector phase still to come. How do I prove damp is structural, not lifestyle? The evidence that shows a building fault rather than condensation. Who pays for pest control, landlord or tenant? It turns on the cause of the infestation and what the tenancy says. Am I entitled to alternative accommodation during repairs? Section 11 alone does not grant it. Where a right can come from.

Looking for the practical side of these problems? See our in-depth guides, the damp and mould hub and the household pests hub.

OM

Oliver Mackman

Editor, HomesAndHedge

Oliver Mackman is the editor of HomesAndHedge and is accountable for its editorial standards and sourcing. He ensures every claim is backed by a named source such as the Property Care Association, the RHS, the NHS or gov.uk, and that the site is clear about when a job needs a qualified professional.

Last reviewed: 8 June 2026