There are a number of things you need to remember if you are signing to rent a room from a landlord. If you look below you will see the basics of what you need to know.

The Contract

You will be asked to sign a contract in order to secure your rented room. This is a legally binding document setting out each parties rights and responsibilities. By signing it, both you and the landlord have certain rights protected in law which cannot be overwritten. Before you sign make sure that you understand all clauses, so there can be no nasty surprises after you've signed. If you are in any doubt get a professional or even just your parents to look over it before you sign anything. If you are not allowed to take it away to go over before signing then be wary and do not sign!

If asked to sign an agreement it is likely to be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement and will normally last for at least six months, after which the tenancy can run on a monthly basis. However, many tenancies run for a fixed term, i.e. July 1st 2003 to June 30th 2004. In this case make sure that you are happy with the length of the contract as it is very unlikely that you will be able to end the tenancy early.

Also make sure your contract contains the following:

• The date the tenancy began and when it ends
• How much your are supposed to pay and when.
• The name and address of both landlord and tenant
• The obligations of the landlord with regard to making repairs (Legislation governs this)
• The landlord's right of access to the accommodation. This should be a period longer than 24 hours notice.
• Length of notice the tenant needs to give in order to suitably end the contract and leave the property.
• Who is responsible for the
  

Legal Obligations set by law

There are a number of obligations both the landlord and you as a tenant have to meet. Some of them are as follows:

• The landlord needs to carry out basic repairs and is also respnsible for the structure and the exterior of the property.
• Landlords needs to give 24 hours written notice to enter the property.
• The landlord is responsible for keeping the installations of water, gas, electricity, sanitation and heating in good working order.
• For an assured shorthold tenancy created on or after 28th February 1997, the landlord must provide basic written terms of the agreement within 28 days of the tenant requesting this in writing.
• The tenant has the right to live in the property in peace with out the landlord causing nuisance.
• The tenant should take proper care of the property and not damage it.
• The landlord must provide his contact details to the tenant. For example name, address and contact number
• Any deposits now taken by landlords from tenants must be placed within a deposit protection scheme and not held by the landlord themselves. The tenant should be provided with full details.