Without opening a can of worms, I suspect you didnt register with the PTRB? Or your landlord isnt registered. A tennancy shouldnt be about being in a better negotiating position, it should be black and white. You sound nervous to upset your landlord. You're paying him rent every month so dont sell yourself short. The landlord is legally obliged to register your tenancy. This protects both of you. The only way to reduce the amount of cowboy landlords is if everybody tries to take only PTRB registered places....Re that tax, just take the cheque and forget it.....tax relief is rubbish anyway.