This toolkit is intended to be used by St Mungo’s caseworkers to assist their clients with entering into, managing and terminating tenancy agreements within the private rented sector.

The toolkit is divided into three sections, namely:

1. the issues to consider before St Mungo’s clients enter a tenancy (Section 1), including:

1. 1. general information regarding what a tenancy agreement is and the different types of tenancy agreement;
   2. the relationship between landlords and their tenants;
   3. the usual terms of a tenancy agreement and typical areas of negotiation;
   4. practical issues, including regarding universal credit; and
   5. the interplay between discrimination and housing law.

2. how to deal with the issues that may arise during a tenancy (Section 2), including:

1. 1. how the landlord and tenant can enforce their rights;
   2. the extent to which the tenancy agreement can be varied; and
   3. the support available to tenants during the tenancy.

3. the issues to consider at the expiry or termination of a tenancy (Section 3), including:

1. 1. how landlords can lawfully evict tenants; and
   2. the support available to tenants following eviction.
      
      

While this Toolkit provides general advice on various legal issues which may arise before, during and at the expiry of a tenancy, each case is of course unique.  If you or your clients are ever in doubt about the course of action to take, the following support services are also available:

• the Citizens Advice Bureau;
• Law Centres;
• LawWorks;
• the government’s guidance on private renting; and
• Advice for Renters.