Free check for renters in England

Is your deposit protected? Is your home safe?

Most landlords get this right. But you have clear rights on your deposit, gas and electrical safety, fees and rent rises, and it only takes 2 minutes to check. Answer 10 quick questions and see what looks right, and what's worth asking about.

Check my tenancy (free)

No sign-up needed to see your result. Free during our launch.

England only. General guidance, not legal advice.

Your rights at a glance

Your deposit must be protected.

In a government-approved scheme, within 30 days, with the prescribed information given to you. If it wasn't, a court must order the landlord to pay you 1 to 3 times the deposit.

Your home must be safe.

A gas safety check every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer, an electrical safety check (EICR) at least every 5 years with a copy for you, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms where the rules require.

No banned fees.

Most fees beyond rent and the deposit are banned. GOV.UK lists the few that are allowed. Landlords and agents can be fined up to £5,000 for charging banned fees.

Fair rent rules (since 1 May 2026).

Rent can go up once a year only, by a section 13 notice with at least 2 months' notice, and you can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal. No bidding above the advertised rent, and no more than 1 month's rent in advance.

Rolling tenancies (since 1 May 2026).

Section 21 "no-fault" evictions have ended. You can leave with 2 months' notice. You can ask to keep a pet, and the landlord has 28 days to consider it and must give a valid reason to refuse. It's illegal to refuse someone because they receive benefits or have children.

Damp, mould and serious hazards.

Report them in writing. Councils can already act on serious hazards. Awaab's Law is coming to private rentals: the consultation closes on 18 December 2026, and no start date has been set.

The free check

10 quick questions

One question at a time. No name, no email, no sign-up: you see your result on this page, and nothing is shared unless you choose to.

One question at a time, with a Back button. About 2 minutes.

No sign-up needed to see your result. Free during our launch.

The landlord register and you

From 15 December 2026, landlords in England start joining a new government register, region by region. If a landlord who should be registered isn't, tenants can apply for a rent repayment order once their region's window opens. See region dates

How LevelMoves helps tenants

One shared record for your home.
Invite your landlord or agent. Certificates, repairs and messages sit in one file you can both see, so nothing gets lost.
Report a repair with photos,
and see where it's up to.
The AI explains your rights in plain English
(or Chinese), using official sources.

Free during our launch. A hub, not an agent. We never hold your money.

Know someone renting?

Send them the 2-minute check. It's free, and it might save them their deposit.

Share

Where to get help

Shelter, Citizens Advice and your local council's housing team. LevelMoves gives general guidance, not legal advice.

Ask your landlord in writing

Your landlord or their agent

Always the first step: a dated message asking for the document or the fix. Keep a copy.

Deposit scheme dispute service

mydeposits, TDS or DPS (free)

Deductions you do not agree with at the end of the tenancy. For a deposit that was never protected, the claim is in the county court (1 to 3 times the deposit); get free advice first.

The landlord ombudsman

The Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman (free, phased in after the database)

Complaints about how your landlord handled something, once they must be a member.

Your council

The council's private sector housing team (free)

Safety certificates, licensing, disrepair and hazards, banned fees, illegal eviction. Councils fine landlords and can help you apply for a rent repayment order.

First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)

The tribunal (free to apply for a rent challenge)

A rent increase you think is above market, and rent repayment orders for an unlicensed property or an illegal eviction.

Free advice

Shelter, Citizens Advice, or a law centre

Before any claim, and at once for a notice, threats to evict, or a lock change.

A housing solicitor

A solicitor regulated by the SRA (legal aid may cover it)

A court claim, possession proceedings, or a serious disrepair case.

Smell gas? Leave the home, open doors and windows, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. It is free and open 24 hours. Then tell your landlord. National Gas

Questions renters ask

How do I know if my deposit is protected?

Your landlord or agent must protect it in a government-approved scheme within 30 days and give you the prescribed information, including which scheme. You can check with the schemes listed on GOV.UK.

What if my deposit wasn't protected?

A court must order the landlord to pay you 1 to 3 times the deposit. Get free advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice first.

Can my landlord charge me fees?

Most fees are banned under the Tenant Fees Act. GOV.UK lists the few payments that are allowed. Banned fees can mean a fine of up to £5,000 for the landlord or agent.

How often can my rent go up?

Since 1 May 2026, once a year, by a section 13 notice with at least 2 months' notice. You can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal.

Can I be evicted without a reason?

Section 21 "no-fault" evictions ended on 1 May 2026. Landlords now need a valid section 8 ground.

Does Awaab's Law apply to my rented home?

Not yet for private rentals. The government is consulting until 18 December 2026, and no start date has been set. Councils can already act on serious hazards.

Is the check free? Will my landlord see it?

Yes, it's free during our launch, and your answers stay private. Nothing is shared unless you choose to invite your landlord.

Talk to a person

hello@levelmoves.com 020 8138 8813 WhatsApp +44 20 8138 8813

Sources

Last reviewed 30 October 2026. England only. General guidance, not legal advice.