Just wanted to raise a bit of awareness , especially for those currently searching for rooms in London.
Paying rent isn’t just about covering a bed — it should also mean:
A safe, legal space
Enough room to live with dignity
Proper ventilation, cleanliness, and fire safety
And at the very least, a **written tenancy agreement
I’ve seen too many listings charging high prices for shared or overcrowded rooms, often without meeting basic legal or HMO standards. It’s not right, and tenants deserve better.
If you’re currently renting or searching, check the room size, ask about licences, and don’t be afraid to speak up or ask questions. Fair rent should always come with fair living conditions.
Would love to hear others’ thoughts or experiences.
Ok fair enough, but landlords need to be treated fairly by tenants , ie pay the rent , treat the property with care and respect!
One Reason why rents go up is cost to landlords in refurbishment cost and rent arrears
**In my experience … especially when renting through agents **
From day one, a lot of basics are often missing: no tenant pack, no written contract, no safety certificates. Sometimes you don’t even meet anyone in person until much later.
That gap at the start sends the wrong message like the whole thing isn’t serious or protected. And in shared houses or HMOs, that can lead to real problems.
Clear, upfront info helps everyone. Tenants deserve it and good landlords/agents benefit from it too.
I don’t give any of that info on day one. I give it when you’ve successfully passed the application process. Of course, you’re welcome to request it at any time in that process but you won’t get it by default until I’m ready to sign a contract with you.
Just to clarify — under UK law, landlords are legally required to provide a full tenant information pack before or at the start of the tenancy.
This must include:
The “How to Rent” guide (latest version from GOV.UK)
A signed tenancy agreement
A valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Deposit protection scheme information, including prescribed information, if a deposit is taken
Failure to provide these documents may result in the tenancy being non-compliant and the landlord losing the legal right to serve a Section 21 eviction notice.
Reference:GOV.UK – Renting from a Private Landlord
As we can see Many Landlords and tenants are unaware of these rights, but they are essential to ensuring fair and legal tenancies
To be clear, This post wasn’t aimed at debating who knows the law … it was about highlighting how often that law is ignored in practice.
If the response to a legal reminder is “I know that,” but the behaviour doesn’t reflect it, then the problem isn’t knowledge …it’s attitude.
Fair rent should mean fair and professional treatment from the very start.
And that includes following the basics: contracts, certificates, safety standards — not just when it’s convenient, but as a legal and ethical starting point.
Conversation closed from my side … but I hope it encourages reflection
All those certificates you do not get on day one. Day one is when you say “can I view that property?” (along with dozens of others) The landlord is not going to print out 50 copies of all the certs. but only to the tenant he has chosen. You have had an experience you did not like and assume 50% of landlords are like that. So you have met about 1. 2 million of them?
Just to be clear, a written tenancy agreement is not yet a legal requirement. It may be a breach of licensing conditions if the property is licensed, but a verbal agreement is perfectly legal, although not advisable.