Rent and Credit > How to rent without a written tenancy agreement

How to rent without a written tenancy agreement

Wollit Team2 minute read · Updated 16th September 2024

When you rent a house or flat in the UK, you usually sign a written contract with the landlord. This contract is called a tenancy agreement. It says what both you and the landlord can and cannot do.

But sometimes, you might rent a place without a written agreement. This is called a verbal or oral tenancy agreement, and it’s completely valid in the UK. However, it might not offer you as much security as a written one. Here is how it works and what to look out for.

What are my rights as a tenant if I don’t have a written agreement?

Even if you don't have a written agreement, you still have some rights as a tenant in the UK. These rights are actually included in the law, and include:

The right to have running water, heating, and a safe home;
The right to privacy and to enjoy your home peacefully (the landlord can’t just barge in);
Protection from being kicked out of your home illegally (you can’t be evicted without a due process);
And the landlord's responsibility to maintain and fix things in your home.

Of course, like with any contract, you also have responsibilities as a tenant, like paying rent on time, looking after the property, and getting permission for changes or subletting.

Also, since you don't have a written contract, it's a good idea to keep a record of any agreements you make with your landlord. For example, save emails or text messages where you discuss things like rent amount or when to pay. You should also ask your landlord for a signed receipt each time you pay rent. These records can help prove what you and your landlord agreed to if there are any problems later on.

Can a landlord evict me without a written agreement?

Yes, a landlord can still evict a tenant without a written agreement. But it's harder for them to do this. The landlord has to go to court and prove they have a good reason to evict you, like if you haven't paid rent or have broken the rules of your tenancy.

Without a written agreement, the landlord can't use the "accelerated" eviction process (called a Section 21 notice). Instead, they have to use a Section 8 notice, which means proving their reason in court.

Can I report my rent payments if I don’t have a written tenancy agreement?

Yes, you can use your rent payments to build credit even without a written tenancy agreement. You can do this by using an app like Wollit.

Wollit can report your monthly rent payment to Experian, which can add a line in your credit report that shows lenders you pay your bills on time, helping you make the most of your rent while you prepare to become a homeowner yourself.

However, the best thing to do for your credit score, really, is to work on your credit history. Wollit can help here as well. It reports your monthly subscription as a loan repayment to all credit reference agencies. This helps you build a history of timely debt repayments, which is the main factor that actually matters for your credit score.