{"id":5625,"date":"2023-11-01T16:29:57","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T16:29:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentila.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5625"},"modified":"2025-11-07T09:57:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T09:57:16","slug":"5-things-landlords-are-not-allowed-to-do-while-renting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentila.co.uk\/blog\/5-things-landlords-are-not-allowed-to-do-while-renting\/","title":{"rendered":"5 things landlords are not allowed to do while renting"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"5<\/div>\n

Are you a property owner who\u2019s recently decided to rent out your space?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s great, but you must be prepared for the responsibilities that come with being a landlord. One of the mistakes landlords make when renting<\/a> is not educating themselves on tenancy regulations.<\/p>\n

As much as you\u2019d like to, there are certain things you just can\u2019t do as a landlord. We\u2019ve compiled a handy list of 5 things landlords are not allowed to do while renting their property.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Landlords cannot enter a tenant\u2019s home without proper notice<\/h2>\n

As a landlord, you don\u2019t have an automatic right to enter your tenant\u2019s home whenever you want. Most areas require landlords to provide advance notice before entering the property. Typically, a 24 hour notice<\/a> is needed for things like inspections or repairs. Only enter the property during normal business hours, and never stay longer than necessary.<\/p>\n

Entering without proper consent is illegal and a violation of the tenant\u2019s right to privacy. Some tenants may perceive unannounced visits as harassment. Always put requests to enter in writing, whether in a formal letter or email. Verbal notice alone doesn\u2019t constitute proper notice.<\/p>\n

Emergencies like fire, flood or medical issues are exceptions to the notice rule. However, in all other cases, if you enter without notice, your tenant has grounds to pursue legal action against you.<\/p>\n

Respecting your tenants\u2019 homes and privacy is key to maintaining a good relationship. Provide ample notice before any visit, and keep visits brief and strictly for legitimate business reasons. Your tenants will appreciate your courtesy, and you\u2019ll avoid potential legal trouble.<\/p>\n

Landlords cannot increase rent without following proper procedures<\/h2>\n

As a landlord, you can\u2019t unreasonably ask tenants to pay more rent; most areas have laws protecting tenants from unreasonable rent hikes. Usually, you\u2019ll need to give advance notice<\/a>, often 1 month (for rent paid weekly or monthly) or 6 months (for rent paid yearly), before increasing rent. Some places cap how much rent can increase each year, such as no more than 5\u201310% annually.<\/p>\n

Before raising rent, check your local regulations and tenancy agreement to ensure you provide proper notice and stay within any rent control limits. As a courtesy, you may want to speak with longer-term tenants to explain your reasons for the increase, especially if it\u2019s higher than normal inflation. Keep communication open in case they need to discuss alternate payment plans.<\/p>\n

Raising rent significantly could lead good tenants to move out, costing you time and money to find new renters. Think through how much extra profit an increase will really generate versus the risks of higher vacancy and turnover. You\u2019re in a partnership with your tenants, so try to make changes in a way that benefits you both.<\/p>\n

If a tenant challenges a rent increase as unfair or retaliatory, they may file a complaint against you. Tenants usually have the right to withhold a portion of rent until the dispute is resolved. As a landlord, you want to avoid these kinds of situations by doing your due diligence, following the rules, and being reasonable with any rent changes.<\/p>\n

Landlords cannot harass or discriminate against tenants<\/h2>\n

One of the things landlords are not allowed to do while renting is harassing, threatening or discriminating against tenants.<\/p>\n

This may take any of the following forms:<\/p>\n