Published: 08/05/2026
Moving into a rented home is genuinely exciting. New place, fresh start, keys in your hand. We love that bit. We also know that in among all the excitement, the practical stuff sometimes gets missed. And the practical stuff, as unglamorous as it sounds, is what protects you when something goes wrong six months down the line.We manage rental properties across Congleton, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and the North West, and over the years we've seen the same situations come up again and again. Most of them were avoidable. Most of them came down to tenants not knowing something that, had someone just told them at the start, would have made everything straightforward.
So consider this us telling you at the start.
Report Things in Writing, Every Single Time
We can't stress this enough. If something goes wrong in your property, whether it's a dripping tap, a broken appliance or something more serious like a leak or a heating failure, report it to us in writing via our website, and report it straight away.
We know it feels a bit formal to send an email about a dripping tap. But here's why it matters. If a small problem is reported late and it gets worse in the meantime, the question of who's responsible for the additional damage becomes complicated. A written record, timestamped, with a description and photos, means there's no ambiguity. You flagged it. We received it. That protects you.
You can report maintenance via our website at luxuryhub.co.uk. Include your name, address, what the issue is, when you first noticed it and any photos or short videos you can take on your phone. We'll take it from there.
We Prioritise Repairs, Here's How
When you report something, we triage it based on urgency. Not because we don't care about smaller issues, but because it helps us make sure genuine emergencies are dealt with immediately.
Emergencies, things we'll attend within 24 hours, include major leaks, complete loss of power or heating in winter, broken external doors or windows that affect security, a blocked toilet if it's the only one in the property, and anything gas or fire-related. If you're in any doubt about whether something is a gas emergency, please call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 first.
Urgent issues, attended within 48 to 72 hours, include partial power problems, broken appliances the landlord has supplied, no hot water and non-working showers.
Routine repairs are things like minor carpentry, resealing around baths or showers, and non-urgent maintenance. We aim to deal with these within 5 to 10 working days.
If a contractor visits and finds that the problem was caused by how the property was being used rather than a genuine fault, the cost of that visit may be passed to you. That's not us being difficult. It's a standard part of tenancy agreements across Congleton, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and the North West.
The Things That Catch Tenants Out
There are a handful of things we see come up at the end of tenancies that cause disputes, and almost all of them are preventable.
Light bulbs and smoke alarm batteries are the tenant's responsibility if working at the start. So is keeping appliances clean. An oven that hasn't been cleaned for two years, a washing machine filter that's never been touched, a fridge that's been running with ice build-up for months. These cause damage over time, and the cost of repair or replacement can be taken from a deposit.
Drains are a big one. Please don't flush wipes down the toilet. Not even the ones that say flushable on the packet, because they're not really. Don't pour cooking fat or oils down the sink. Don't flush sanitary products. Blocked drains caused by how a property is being used are one of the most common sources of charges at the end of a tenancy, and they're almost entirely avoidable.
Condensation and mould is something we get asked about a lot, particularly in winter across Cheshire, Greater Manchester and the North West. The honest answer is that mould isn't always a structural problem. A lot of the time it comes down to ventilation. Open windows when you can, even briefly in winter. Use the extractor fan when you cook and shower. Don't dry clothes on radiators without opening a window nearby. These habits make a genuine difference, and if you do spot mould appearing, report it to us straight away so we can investigate whether there's something more going on.
And on wall hangings, please ask before you put anything up. Blu-tack pulls paint. Nails leave holes. Command strips, despite what the packaging says, often damage plaster when they come down. Any of these can result in full room repainting costs being deducted from your deposit at checkout. A quick message via our website to ask permission takes thirty seconds and saves a lot of trouble later.
Your New Rights as a Tenant, and They're Significant
The Renters Rights Act 2025 came into full effect on 1st May 2026, and if you're renting privately in Congleton, Cheshire, Greater Manchester or the North West, it applies to you.
The biggest change is the abolition of Section 21. Your landlord can no longer serve you a notice and ask you to leave without a valid legal reason. This is a real and substantial shift in how security of tenure works in England. It means that as long as you're paying your rent, looking after the property and keeping to the terms of your agreement, you cannot simply be asked to leave on a whim.
All tenancies are now periodic, which means there's no fixed end date built in. You're not going to wake up one day and find out your tenancy is about to expire. It rolls on month to month for as long as you want it to. But you now must give 2 months notice to leave and not 1. Make sure to serve notice in line with your rent date or you may get caught out.
You now have the right to request a pet. Your landlord can no longer apply a blanket no-pets policy. They now have 28 days to respond to your request in writing. Moreover, if they refuse your request they need to give you a valid reason such as an allergy they can prove. They can ask you to provide a lot more information now too, so make sure your loved one is microchipped, vaccinated and insured. We recommend you have pet damage covered within your contents insurance as this normally protects your deposit and is peace of mind for you and the landlord.
Rent increases now follow a regulated process. Your landlord needs to serve a Section 13 notice, with at least two months' lead time, and can only do it once a year. If you think the proposed increase is higher than what similar properties in Congleton, Cheshire, Greater Manchester or the North West are going for, you have the right to challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal. That's a free process and it's there specifically for this.
If you ever receive a notice or a letter about your tenancy and you're not sure what it means, please just get in touch via our website. We'd much rather explain it to you than have you worry about it unnecessarily.
Sort Out Contents Insurance Before You Move In
We say this to every tenant and we mean it genuinely. Your landlord's insurance covers the building and their own fittings. Your stuff, your clothes, your laptop, your television, your furniture, none of it is covered under their policy.
Contents insurance is not expensive. A basic policy including accidental damage cover typically costs less than you'd think, and it covers you if something gets stolen, damaged in a flood or destroyed in a fire. It also covers you if you accidentally cause damage to the landlord's fixtures, which in turn protects your deposit. It's one of those things that feels unnecessary right up until the moment you really need it.
Some Questions We Hear Regularly
What if my landlord won't fix something?
Report it in writing and keep copies of everything. If it's unresolved and the issue is serious, your local council has enforcement powers and can require landlords to carry out works. You can also explore action under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
Can my landlord put my rent up whenever they want?
No. Under the Renters Rights Act 2025, rent can only increase once every twelve months and only after a correctly served Section 13 notice with at least two months' notice. If you think the increase is unfair, you can refer it to the First-tier Tribunal.
What happens to my deposit when I leave?
It should be in a government-approved deposit protection scheme throughout the tenancy. At the end, it's returned to you minus any agreed deductions for damage or unpaid rent. If you disagree with any deductions, the scheme has a free dispute resolution service you can use.
Am I covered by the Act if I'm a student renting privately in Congleton, Cheshire, Greater Manchester or the North West?
Yes, fully, if you're renting from a private landlord rather than living in university-managed accommodation.
We're Here for the Whole Tenancy, Not Just the Start
Moving in is the beginning of a relationship, not a transaction. If something comes up during your tenancy, whether it's a maintenance issue, a question about your agreement, a notice you've received, or something you're just not sure about, please reach out via our website. We'd much rather hear from you early.
Luxury Hub is a member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO: T02647) and is registered with Safeagent Client Money Protection (CMP: A8034).
💬 +44 7546 913035 (WhatsApp) 📞 01260 765075 ✉️ lettings@luxuryhub.co.uk 📍 13A High Street, Congleton, CW12 1BN 🌐 luxuryhub.co.uk