Landlord / letting agent letter explained in English
Landlord or letting agent. The owner of your home, or the agency that manages it.
Letters you may get
- Notice seeking possession — your landlord wants you to leave; it must give a reason and a date
- Rent increase notice — your rent will go up
- Rent arrears letter — you are behind with rent
What to do
- Only a court can make you leave your home. A landlord who changes the locks or removes your things without a court order is usually breaking the law.
- Eviction rules changed in England in 2026 and are different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice before you move out.
- Find the deadline. Look for “by”, “within”, “no later than”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“mandatory reconsideration”, “administrative review”, “representations”, “challenge”, “appeal”, “dispute”, “review”). See the template.
Words you may see
- arrears
- Money you owe because regular payments were missed, for example rent or council tax.
- notice seeking possession
- A notice from your landlord that they want you to leave and may go to court.
Questions
What is the Landlord / letting agent?
Landlord or letting agent. The owner of your home, or the agency that manages it.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Landlord / letting agent?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “by”, “within”, “no later than” — they mark the deadline. In the UK, a letter sent by first class post is usually treated as delivered on the second working day after it was posted. But many deadlines, for example for appeals, count from the date printed on the letter. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“mandatory reconsideration”, “administrative review”, “representations”, “challenge”, “appeal”, “dispute”, “review”).
Can I read a Landlord / letting agent letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in English. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in the United Kingdom
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) · Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) · Council (borough, district or city council) · Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) · TV Licensing · Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) · County Court / Magistrates’ Court / Tribunal (HMCTS) · Enforcement agents (bailiffs)