Tenants responsibilities
As a tenant your responsibilities may vary depending on the tenancy agreement between you and your landlord. You will however probably find that most of your responsibilities fall into two main categories, pay your bills / rent, and look after the property and its contents. This is an overly simplistic view so below it is in a little more detail.
As a tenant you are responsible for.
Paying Rent on time
As a tenant you have to pay rent to your landlord, this will usually be paid on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis and is also typically paid in advance.
Repairing damages caused by you or those living with you
If you damage the property then its your responsibility to repair it, if you don't then the landlord is within his rights to claim the cost of repair from your tenancy deposit. For more on tenancy deposits click here. If you redecorate the house without permission from the landlord then he may view this as damage to the property.
Paying household bills (electricity, gas, council tax, etc)
While you are living in the house you are responsible for paying the household bills. If there are any overdue bills from the last tenant waiting for you when you arrive pass them on to the landlord, you should not be expected to pay for these.
Keeping house secure (setting alarm, locking doors, etc.)
Keeping the house locked up every time you leave the house not only protects your possessions in the house, but also prevents the property being damaged. If the property is damaged because you left the house unsecured this could effect your tenancy deposit.
Keeping house clean and tidy
Keeping the house tidy makes it not only nicer to live in but will also help ensure that the property and its furnishings are not damaged, which could mean you loose some or all of your tenancy deposit.
Returning property in same state as you found it at beginning of tenancy
When you are getting ready to move out of the property you need to make sure that the house is as clean as when you moved in and that any damage has been fixed. If you fail to clean the house the landlord can bill you to have professionals clean the house, the same applies if the landlord has to fix any damage to the property.
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