Whether you’re renting a flat above a takeaway or running a shopfront on Nelson Street, knowing your rights is power.

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Chinatown is a complex mix of tenants, landlords, businesses, and newcomers. With that complexity comes confusion. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

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Key Legal Protections Every Resident Should Know

1. Eviction and Housing Disputes
   Under the Housing Act 1988, landlords must follow strict legal procedures to evict tenants—especially those under assured shorthold tenancies. Section 21 (no-fault eviction) and Section 8 (grounds-based eviction) require formal notice periods and court approval. If you are being pressured to leave without proper documentation, it may be unlawful.
2. Disrepair and Habitability
   According to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords are obligated to keep homes in a safe and liveable condition. This includes working heating, plumbing, and protection against damp. Tenants have a right to request repairs without fear of retaliation.
3. Licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
   If you live in a shared house, the property might require a licence under the Housing Act 2004. An unlicensed HMO can pose fire, hygiene, and overcrowding risks. You have the right to ask your landlord whether their property is properly licensed.
4. Noise Complaints and Anti-Social Behaviour
   The Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides protection from excessive noise. You can contact the council to file complaints, especially when disturbances happen repeatedly or late at night.
5. Immigration Status and Discrimination
   Under the Equality Act 2010, landlords and letting agents cannot discriminate based on race, religion, or nationality. Even with ‘Right to Rent’ checks in England, discrimination is illegal and challengeable.

What the CIC Is Doing

• Partnering with legal clinics to offer free housing and tenant rights advice
• Producing multilingual guides and letter templates for repairs and complaints
• Hosting legal Q&A drop-ins with local councillors and support workers

What You Can Do

• Join your local neighbourhood forum to raise concerns collectively
• Use CIC resources to learn how to write formal complaints or repair requests
• Follow community WhatsApp broadcasts for changes to housing law, support sessions, or alert notices

Regeneration without legal literacy is exploitation. A Chinatown that knows its rights is a Chinatown that can’t be pushed out.

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