Tenant Hub
Useful information, helpful links and practical advice — all in one place.
Being a tenant involves more than paying the rent and reporting the occasional repair. There are bills to manage, responsibilities to understand, local services to find and lots of little questions that can crop up along the way.
That’s why we’ve created our Tenant Hub — a handy place for information and resources that can help make renting and looking after your home that little bit easier.
Here you’ll find useful local information, guidance around insurance and household bills, tenant rights and responsibilities, repairs and maintenance, pets, energy and safety, and practical advice for looking after your home.
And because sometimes you just need to speak to an actual person, our Lettings Team is always here if you’re unsure about something relating to your Whitney’s tenancy.
Bradford Council & Local Services
Bradford Council has lots of useful information and online services for local residents, including Council Tax, bins and recycling, housing support, benefits, parking and other local services.
Useful link: Bradford Council
Protecting Your Belongings
Your landlord’s buildings insurance doesn’t normally protect your own possessions, so it’s worth considering contents insurance for your belongings.
Depending on the policy you choose, contents insurance can provide protection for things such as furniture, clothing, electrical items and other possessions against specified risks.
Some specialist tenant policies may also offer additional cover, such as accidental damage to a landlord’s fixtures and fittings.
Insurance policies and levels of cover vary, so always read the terms carefully and choose a policy that’s suitable for you. Whitney’s doesn’t require you to use a particular insurance provider.
Bills, Utilities & Your Home
Your tenancy information will explain which household bills you’re responsible for. Depending on the property, these could include:
Council Tax • Gas • Electricity • Water • Broadband • TV Licence
Keep a record of meter readings when you move into or leave a property — taking a quick photograph is an easy way to do this.
If you’re responsible for paying the gas or electricity bill directly, you can normally choose your own energy supplier.
And if a bill doesn’t look right, don’t ignore it. Contact the supplier as soon as possible so it can be investigated.
Tenant Hub
Need a Bit of Help?
We know circumstances can change, and sometimes household costs can become difficult to manage.
If you’re worried about paying your rent, Council Tax, energy bills or other household costs, please seek help early rather than waiting for the problem to become bigger.
Bradford Council provides information about Council Tax Reduction and other financial support. Most working-age people who need help with their rent will usually need to look at Universal Credit rather than making a new Housing Benefit claim, although there are exceptions.
GOV.UK also has up-to-date information about help with housing costs, benefits and support available to renters.
If you’re struggling with your rent for a Whitney’s-managed property, please speak to our Lettings Team as early as you can. Starting the conversation early gives us the best opportunity to understand what’s happening and discuss the next steps.
Know Your Rights & Responsibilities
Private tenants have both rights and responsibilities.
You’re entitled to live in a property that’s safe and in a good state of repair, to live in your home without unnecessary interference and to have the correct information about your tenancy.
In return, tenants have responsibilities too — including looking after the property, paying rent and agreed household bills, reporting repairs promptly and following the terms of their tenancy.
A Few Tenant Essentials
Look after your home as if it were your own, report repairs promptly and let us know about small problems before they have the chance to become big ones.
Be considerate of your neighbours and keep any areas you’re responsible for reasonably clean and tidy.
Always check your tenancy information or speak to us before making significant alterations, subletting or making other changes that may require permission.
And remember — if you’re ever unsure, ask us. We’d much rather you get in touch than sit worrying about something or accidentally get it wrong.
Useful Links
Bradford Council — Council Tax, bins and recycling, benefits, housing support and local services.
Bradford Council – Council Tax Reduction — information about financial help towards your Council Tax if you’re eligible.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction | Bradford Council
GOV.UK – Renting a Property — official information covering private renting, deposits, tenancy types, Right to Rent and help with housing costs.
Where to get advice about your tenancy | Bradford Council
GOV.UK – Renters’ Rights — current information about your rights and responsibilities as a private tenant.
Important changes in the law | Bradford Council
Report a Repair — use Whitney’s Tenant Report a Fault service for maintenance and repair issues.
Tenant Report a Fault | Whitneys Estate Agents
Contact our Lettings Team — if your question relates specifically to your Whitney’s tenancy, we’re here to help on 01274 880019.
Think of this page as your go-to place for the useful stuff you don’t always know you need… until you need it.
Your home. Your tenancy. We’re here to help. 🐾
