Maintenance and Repair Responsibilities
| Landlord | Tenant | |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing electrical Wiring | ✔ | |
| Repairing gas pipes and boilers | ✔ | |
| Repairing heating and hot water | ✔ | |
| Repairing chimneys, guttering and ventilation | ✔ | |
| Repairing sinks, baths, toilets, pipes and drains | ✔ | |
| Repairing common areas including entrance halls and stairways (shared accommodations) | ✔ | |
| Repairing the structure and exterior of the building, including walls, stairs and bannisters, roof, external doors and windows | ✔ | |
| Repairing appliances such as a fridge or washing machine | Provided they do not pose a risk and the agreement states otherwise, the landlord’s obligation to repair does not extend to repairing/replacing broken white goods appliances. | |
| Arranging a gas safety checks every 12 months | ✔ | |
| Ensuring wiring and electrical appliances are safe | ✔ | |
| Installing smoke alarms on each floor of the house | ✔ (Unless the tenant is occupying under a lodger arrangement) | |
| Installing carbon monoxide detectors in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (e.g. a coal fire, wood burning stove) | ✔ | |
| Keeping the property clean and tidy throughout the tenancy | ✔ | |
| Ventilating the property regularly | ✔ | |
| Controlling and adequately heating the property | ✔ | |
| Properly using all electrical facilities and appliances and upholding electrical safety practices | ✔ | |
| Carrying out safety checks on electrical appliances owned by tenant | ✔ | |
| Fixing any appliances, installations or furniture belonging to the tenant | ✔ | |
| Keeping gardens or outside areas in a clean and tidy state | ✔ | |
| Changing light bulbs, smoke alarm batteries, fuses | ✔ | |
| Keeping drain, pipes and toilets free of blockages ** | ✔ | |
| Not causing any damage to the property and making sure any visitors do not cause any damage | ✔ |
When will the Landlord not be liable for the repair Costs?
If the tenant or someone visiting the tenant accidentally or deliberately causes damage to the property, the tenant will be responsible for repairing it. The tenant will still have to notify the landlord about the repair work needed. The Landlord may then agree to do the work themselves and then recharge the tenant the cost or they may agree to the tenant fixing it themselves. For example, if a tenant damages another tenant’s flat because water has leaked from an overflowing bath, the responsible tenant would be liable to pay for the repairs.
How Long does the Landlord have to carry out any works or maintenance?
It is the tenant’s responsibility to notify the landlord when there is a problem or about any repairs needed. Landlords are only required (by law) to repair and maintain what is reported by their tenants or found during a regular inspection. Landlords cannot be held responsible for damages or disrepair that has not been reported by the tenant.
Once reported, landlords must carry out repairs within a reasonable period of time. Unfortunately, there is no clear definition as to what a reasonable period is and this will differ on a case-by-case basis and will be judged by several factors including the type and extent of the disrepair and the nature of the tenancy (please see “Emergency Call-Outs” below).
Generally, the bigger and more expensive the repair necessary, the longer the reasonable period (e.g. where the disrepair involves structural works such as the roof). However, in cases of emergency (e.g. broken front door, total electrical failure, a boiler not working during the cold months of the year) a reasonable time is likely to be a very short time (e.g. 24-48 hours). Likewise, even where it is something less urgent, (e.g. some missing roof titles no posing an imminent risk), the landlord should still aim to complete the works expeditiously and within a reasonable timescale (e.g. one or two weeks).
Providing access to have repairs works done
Landlords require the tenant’s permission to enter the property to carry out repairs by giving notice in advance (e.g 24 hours in the case of emergencies). However, if the tenant refuses to let the landlord in, not only can the tenant be in breach of the tenancy agreement but cannot also then blame the landlord for any problems suffered or perpetuated as a result of the disrepair. It is therefore important for all parties to cooperate at all times!
