Litigant in Person Navigator
Most guides explain the law. This one assumes something our own research proved: that the court's paperwork can fail you. In a recent Blind Justice audit, 92% of documents were missing from the case files reviewed, and 85% of mandatory submissions never reached the decision-maker.
So this tool does two things. It tells you what should happen at your stage, and it gives you the practical move that protects you when the system slips.
Choose your situation. We will build a roadmap and a dated checklist for you. More situations are being added.
Quick answers to the problems renters hit most, updated for the Renters' Rights Act 2025: rent rises, deposits, repairs, pets, fees, discrimination and ending a tenancy. This is general information, not advice on your situation, so use the housing help links if you need to act.
The right: since 1 May 2026 your rent can be raised only once a year, and only by a Section 13 notice (Form 4A) giving at least two months' written notice. Old rent-review clauses no longer apply.
What you can do: if the new rent is above the going local rate, you can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) before it takes effect. The Tribunal cannot set your rent higher than the landlord asked for, so there is no risk in challenging.
Protect yourself: keep the notice, note the date it was served, and apply to the Tribunal before the new rent is due to start.
The right: you can ask to keep a pet and your landlord must not unreasonably refuse. They must respond within 28 days of your written request.
What you can do: put the request in writing with details of the pet. If it is refused, the refusal has to be reasonable and explained, and you can challenge one that is not.
Protect yourself: keep your written request and their reply. A landlord can ask you to have pet insurance, but cannot charge a pet deposit or extra "pet rent".
The right: your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of you paying it, and cannot be more than five weeks' rent (six weeks if the annual rent is £50,000 or more).
What you can do: if there is a dispute about deductions at the end, use the scheme's free dispute resolution service rather than just accepting the deduction.
Protect yourself: check your deposit is protected (the scheme can confirm). If it was never protected, you may be owed up to three times the deposit.
The right: under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords and agents can only charge a short list of payments: rent, a capped deposit, a holding deposit of up to one week, and limited default fees. Most other fees are banned.
What you can do: if you were charged for admin, referencing, renewal, or a compulsory "checkout clean", ask for it back.
Protect yourself: keep receipts. Banned fees are recoverable, and your local Trading Standards can take action.
The right: your landlord is responsible for the structure and exterior, and for keeping water, gas, electricity, heating and sanitation working (section 11, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985). Stronger decent-homes standards for private rentals are being introduced in a later phase of 2026.
What you can do: report problems in writing. If they are not fixed in a reasonable time, your council's environmental health team can inspect and order the works.
Protect yourself: report in writing with photos and dates, and keep the thread. Do not stop paying rent, as that puts your home at risk; get advice instead.
The right: landlords and agents cannot refuse you, or treat you worse, because you have children or receive benefits. Blanket "No DSS" or "professionals only" rules are unlawful, including rules that just have that effect.
What you can do: if you were turned away on those grounds, you can complain and challenge it.
Protect yourself: screenshot the advert and keep any messages. The wording is often the evidence.
The right: a property must be advertised at a set rent, and the landlord or agent cannot invite or accept offers above it. They also cannot ask for more than one month's rent in advance.
What you can do: you can refuse to bid or to pay several months upfront, and report it.
Protect yourself: keep the advert and any message asking for more than the advertised rent or more than a month upfront.
The right: tenancies are now periodic, and you can end yours by giving your landlord two months' notice in writing. You are not locked into a fixed term.
What you can do: give clear written notice stating your last day, counting the full notice period.
Protect yourself: keep a copy and proof of sending. That fixes your end date and your liability for rent.
The right: you can complain to your landlord in writing, and from later in 2026 to a new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman, with landlords listed on a new public database. For disrepair and safety, your council's environmental health team can act now.
What you can do: complain in writing first and give a deadline, then escalate to the council or, once it opens, the Ombudsman.
Protect yourself: keep a dated record of every complaint and reply. The paper trail is what lets someone act.
You can leave dates blank if you do not have them yet. Nothing you type leaves your device.
These dates are indicative. Always check them against your own court papers, which give the dates that count.
Tick items as you go. Your ticks are saved on this device. Use Print to keep a copy or take it to court.
A represented opponent is not your enemy doing something wrong. But some tactics are designed to unsettle a litigant in person. None of them require you to react quickly or emotionally. The rule for all of them is the same: reply in writing, calmly, and keep the record.
This is the situation our audit was built on. If it happens, you protect yourself with your own paper trail.
We are adding guided help for family matters, and a fuller version that helps you draft documents with every legal citation checked. Leave your email and we will tell you when it lands. We will only use it to update you about this tool.