My rights as a private tenant

[currob]

I have been privately renting a flat for 6 1/2 years. I do not have a contract and I pay my landlord via standing order from my current account. Should I ask for a contract or would I have more or less rights without one with my history of payments on my bank statements?

[flyciderman]

Did you ever have a contract?

[currob]

i had a six month contract to start with. It has never been renewed and I can't find it now.

[currob]

wow, thanks for that in a pickle. I'll probably leave things as they are.

[Bee35]

A Tenancy agreement would usually be required as proof of rent you are being charged if you were ever in a position to need to claim Housing Benefit. But, a letter or other proof of rent from your landlord may also suffice in this situation. If you were ever subjected to a sudden rent hike ( although it sounds as if you have a reasonable landlord) a Tenancy Agreement may help to prove the amount of rent you had been liable for prior to the change.