The Under 25’s Guide to Renting in 2024

So you’re on hunt for a new place, or perhaps you just want to know a bit more about your rights when it comes to renting…but where do you start? Luckily, The Mix have teamed up with Experian to provide the answers to all those essential questions…

Can I rent a place if I’m under 18?

Technically no, but that shouldn’t stop you. All you need is a co-signer to sign the rental agreement with you. This can be in the form of a parent or guardian, however, you might be able to rent if you are legally emancipated (which basically means that you’re legally free from control of an adult)

What should I look for in my rental agreement?

It’s always good to take time to read and understand your rental agreement, no matter how long and detailed it is. The key things to look out for are:

• The amount of rent you’ll be paying
• The due date when you’ll need to pay
• How long the agreement is for
• How much your deposit is
• Rules about pets and other guests
• The process around repairs and improvements to the property

What happens if I can’t pay my rent on time?

Life happens so don’t be too hard on yourself. The first thing to do is notify your landlord immediately. They might be understanding and allow you to agree a later date for payment. Sometimes they’ll issue a late fee on top of your regular rent, however, this should be stated clearly in the initial contract you signed with them.

Can my landlord raise my rent whenever they want?

Yes and no. Landlords typically can’t raise rent during the lease term (unless it’s specified in the contract). When it comes to contract renewal, your landlord may notify you of a rent increase, but you don’t have to agree to it. Nevertheless, they should always provide notice before increasing your rent.

What if I don’t agree with my rent increase?

Start by letting your landlord know as politely and calmly as possible. These conversations can be quite sensitive for everyone involved so a level-headedness is a must.

Your landlord should clearly explain why they’ve decided to increase your rent, but don’t be afraid to ask for further details if needed.

Try negotiating with your landlord. It could help to explain your own circumstances and if you’ve been an A* tenant then say so! Sometimes landlords will forget just how valued you are.

If you fail to reach an agreement, the next step is a tribunal. A tribunal is a type of court that deals with renting disagreements and makes decisions based on evidence and law. You’ll have to submit your own evidence arguing the proposed rent increase, and this can be in the form of:

• Your initial agreement
• Another recent rent increase
• Correspondence between you and your landlord
• Rental prices in the immediate area

The tribunal will then compile all evidence from both parties, and conduct their own research. Tribunals are normally a lot quicker than usual court cases, and you’ll expect to hear a decision within three months.

For the meantime, your landlord cannot do anything and you’re free to live peacefully in your home. You’ve done all you can do so try to relax and put it to the back of your mind.

A final decision from the tribunal usually involves the following:

• The tribunal has decided that your landlord has no grounds to increase your rent and you will continue to pay the same as before.
• Your landlord’s rent increase has been accepted and you will now need to pay the new increase.
• Your landlord’s increase didn’t reflect the current market, or the evidence contradicted it, and therefore a new increase will be set. This is like a compromise, or a meet-in-the-middle situation.

Whatever the outcome, if you are still unhappy then you can choose to appeal the tribunal. This means that the case will be taken back to court and looked at by another representative to decide whether the tribunal’s decision was fair or not. If it is then you’ll need to start paying the new agreed increase. If it isn’t then a new increase will be set or the case will be closed.

From here, you have three options:

• Pay the new increase
• Don’t pay the new increase
• Leave the property and find a new one

What if I get evicted and what’s a section 21?

No matter what, your landlord can’t just kick you out onto the street without fair warning. The law in the UK states that landlords must give two month’s notice if they want their tenant to leave the property.

If a landlord wants you to leave then they should provide a clear reason why. This could be:

• Not paying rent on time
• Not paying rent at all
• Damage to the property
• Abusive towards other tenants
• Abusive towards your landlord
• The landlord deciding to sell the property

However, landlords don’t always need to provide a reason. You may receive a section 21 notice.

A section 21 is a legal document that landlords can use to evict tenants without a specific reason. Understandably, there’s a lot of controversy around this topic and it regularly appears in government debates. However, landlords still have the power to issue section 21 notices, and you still have to abide by them…kind of…

What if I refuse to leave?

Even though a section 21 notice states that you have two months to leave the property, you can technically stay for longer.

You may be struggling to find another property, or you might just be rebelling against your unfair treatment by your landlord.

Either way, if you decide to stay for longer stated then your landlord will then need to bring the case to court. During this time, they cannot physically vacate you from the property. The court process can take a long time. We’re talking months and, in some cases, even years. This gives you extra time to assess your options and find another property.

If the court decides that you need to leave and you refuse then you might risk being woken up by a couple of burly bailiffs at 7am.

Bailiffs are representatives of the court orders imposed on you. They have the power to collect unpaid debts, repossess your personal belongings to pay those debts, and evict tenants from properties.

How do I find out more about my renting rights?

There are tons of resources online to find out more about your particular situation, but it’s always best to rely on trustworthy organisations that have a proven record of helping young tenants.

• Citizen’s Advice provide a wealth of advice and support for anyone wishing to find out more about renting and their rights.
• Research your local council to understand the different guidelines that apply to you.
• Simply search The Mix’s website for more articles around renting and rights, including renting with a disability and deposits for renting.

The Mix would like to thank Experian for their help with this article.