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BritIndex
11 guides

Housing & renting

Deposit protection, right to rent, repairs, rent increases, evictions, council tax and the schemes that actually help first-time buyers.

Buying a home: conveyancing, surveys and stamp dutyIn England, Wales and Northern Ireland nothing is legally binding until exchange, so thousands of pounds can be spent on a purchas…13 minverified 2026-08-04
If you cannot pay your rent or mortgageRent arrears and mortgage arrears run on completely different rules. What the council, DWP and your lender must offer, how much ar…16 minverified 2026-08-06
Evictions and your rights as a tenantOnly a court can evict you, and only a bailiff can carry it out. What a valid notice must contain, why an invalid one buys you mon…10 minverified 2026-07-30
What to do if you are homeless tonightThe council must secure emergency accommodation the moment it has reason to believe you may be homeless, eligible and in priority …16 minverified 2026-08-06
Buying a leasehold flat and service chargesA lease is a wasting asset with an annual bill attached, and both are negotiable before you exchange and hard to fix after. This c…13 minverified 2026-08-05
How to deal with noisy neighbours and antisocial behaviourStatutory nuisance and antisocial behaviour are different legal routes with different bodies and different evidence. The council's…13 minverified 2026-08-05
How to get your tenancy deposit backYour deposit must be held in a government-approved protection scheme, and the landlord has to justify keeping any of it. This expl…8 minverified 2026-07-30
How to join the social housing registerCouncils set their own qualification rules, so being in housing need is not enough to get on the list. How banding and points work…13 minverified 2026-08-05
How to rent in England — what to check before you signLetting fees are banned, deposits are capped, and the landlord must give you specific documents before a tenancy can be validly en…7 minverified 2026-07-30
How to report disrepair and complain about a landlordLandlords must keep a home fit for human habitation, and damp and mould are a hazard rather than a lifestyle problem. This covers …12 minverified 2026-08-04
Your landlord has locked you outLocking a tenant out is a crime, not a disagreement. The remedies that work in the first 24 hours: the police reference, the counc…15 minverified 2026-08-06
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