Everything You Need to Know

We want to make your renting experience as clear and straightforward as possible. All of our referencing, tenancy agreements, and tenant-related services are provided through Rightmove, giving you peace of mind with a trusted and secure platform. You can find helpful guides and support on their Rightmove Tenant Information Page.

To view a copy of our Rightmove Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, please click HERE.

To view a copy of our Propertymark Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, please click HERE.

To view a copy of our Company Let NRLA Agreement, please click HERE.

• A serious or uncontrolled water leak or flooding
• Complete failure of heating during very cold weather, particularly where children or vulnerable occupants are present
• Complete loss of hot water where the circumstances make the situation urgent
• Serious electrical faults presenting an immediate safety concern
• An external door or window that has failed and means the property cannot be secured
• Serious drainage or sewage problems affecting the safe use of the property
• Significant storm or roof damage allowing water to enter the property
• Any other situation where delaying action until the next working day could reasonably result in danger or significant further damage

• Examples of non-emergency matters include minor dripping taps, cosmetic damage, individual light bulbs failing, non-essential appliance faults and other routine maintenance issues that do not present an immediate risk.

• Being locked out because you have lost, forgotten or accidentally left your keys inside the property or your room is not a property maintenance emergency.

Emergency Utility Contacts
Immediate danger, fire or threat to life
Emergency Services
999

Suspected gas leak
National Gas Emergency Service
0800 111 999

Electricity network fault or power cut
National Power Cut Service
105

Water supply emergency
South West Water
0344 346 2020

If You Smell Gas

If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, contact the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.

A1 Electrics
07775 667969

Welcome to the Property File App! Your all-in-one online hub for staying in the know about your rental property. Easily manage your tenancy 24/7, report maintenance concerns, access crucial documents, and stay in the loop with scheduled appointments.

Need more details? Chat with one of our team members or dive into the world of convenience by downloading the Property File App now from your app store. Your rental experience, simplified. 

A Tenant’s Guide To The Renters’ Rights Act

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is one of the biggest changes to private renting in England for many years. It is designed to give tenants more security, make rental rules clearer, and improve standards across the private rented sector. The Act received Royal Assent in October 2025, with the main changes being introduced in stages. 

At Hindhead Property, our aim is simple. We want tenants to understand their rights, landlords to understand their responsibilities, and everyone involved to have a clear, well managed tenancy.

What is changing?
The biggest change is the end of Section 21 no fault evictions. This means landlords can no longer end a tenancy without a valid legal reason. Landlords can still regain possession of a property, but they will need to use the correct legal grounds, such as selling the property, moving back in, serious rent arrears, anti social behaviour or another permitted reason. 

Most private tenancies will move towards rolling periodic tenancies, rather than fixed term contracts with a set end date. This gives tenants more flexibility and security, while still allowing landlords to regain possession where there is a proper legal reason. 

Rent increases will also be more controlled. In most cases, rent can only be increased once per year, with proper notice, and tenants may be able to challenge an unreasonable increase through the tribunal process. 
The Act also introduces stronger rules around rental advertising, pets, discrimination and property standards. This includes restrictions on rental bidding, protection for tenants with children or those receiving benefits, and a right for tenants to request permission to keep a pet, which landlords must consider reasonably. 

What does this mean for tenants?
For most tenants, the day to day renting experience should remain familiar. You will still need to pay your rent on time, look after the property, report repairs properly and follow the terms of your tenancy.

What changes is the structure around the tenancy. There should be more clarity over how rent increases are handled, how a tenancy can be ended, how repairs and property standards are managed, and what information tenants should receive.

What should tenants do?
Keep communication clear and in writing where possible. If there is a repair issue, report it promptly and give enough detail for it to be dealt with properly.
Keep copies of important documents, including your tenancy agreement, deposit information, safety certificates, rent records and any written communication about repairs or changes to the tenancy.

If you want to request a pet, make the request properly and be prepared to discuss reasonable conditions, such as suitable insurance, professional cleaning or how the property will be protected.

If you receive a rent increase notice or notice seeking possession, do not ignore it. Read it carefully and contact the managing agent, landlord or an independent advice service if you are unsure.

Our approach
Hindhead Property works with both tenants and landlords, so we understand that good renting depends on clear communication and fair expectations on both sides.
The new rules are designed to raise standards across the rental market. For good tenants and responsible landlords, the aim should be a better managed, more transparent renting experience.

If you are renting a property through Hindhead and have questions about your tenancy, repairs, documents or the new legislation, please contact our team and we will do our best to guide you clearly.

This guide is for general information only and should not be treated as legal advice. The Renters’ Rights Act is being introduced in stages, so guidance may change as further rules and implementation dates are confirmed.
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For more info please see the below link:
The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 - GOV.UK

In line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, Hindhead Property does not charge any upfront fees to tenants aside from permitted payments. These include:

• Holding deposit – capped at one week’s rent
• Tenancy deposit – capped at five weeks’ rent (or six weeks if the annual rent exceeds £50,000)
• Rent – as agreed in the tenancy
• Default fees – for late rent (3% above the Bank of England base rate after 14 days), lost keys or security devices
• Changes to the tenancy – £50 (or reasonable costs if higher), e.g. name changes or early termination if requested by the tenant

We are proud members of The Property Ombudsman and Propertymark Client Money Protection.

Your tenancy agreement sets out the responsibilities of landlords and tenants clearly so everyone knows what they are responsible for.

In short:

Landlord Responsibilities:

• Repairs to structure and exterior (roof, walls, gutters, drains, foundations)
• Maintaining water, gas, electricity, and sanitation systems
• Heating and hot water system maintenance

Tenant Responsibilities:

The landlord is not responsible for damage caused by negligence or failure to keep the property in a tenant-like manner. Tenants must take care of everyday small tasks.
What Is “Tenant-Like Manner”?

The phrase comes from the 1953 court case Warren v Keen, where Lord Denning explained tenants must do the small jobs a reasonable tenant would do, and avoid damage through negligence.

“…do the little jobs around the place which a reasonable tenant would do… not damage the house wilfully or negligently.”

Simply put, tenants should keep the property safe and tidy by doing small maintenance tasks themselves.

Tenant-Like Manner Checklist

If you owned the home, would you hire a contractor to fix this? If not, it's probably your responsibility. Here’s a quick checklist:
Inside the Property:

• Change lightbulbs
• Replace smoke detector batteries
  
• Re-pressurise the boiler (if instructed)
• Bleed radiators
  
• Unblock sinks and toilets
• Keep the property clean and ventilated
  
• Manage minor pests (ants, wasps)

Outside the Property:

• Keep grass cut and tidy
• Sweep leaves and garden debris
  
• Maintain patios and decking (jet wash, clean seasonally)
• Treat and maintain timber decking
  
• Trim shrubs and trees as needed
• Report and prevent invasive plants like Japanese knotweed, bamboo, buddleia

If you’re unsure, please contact your letting agent or landlord for advice.