Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities for Repairs

Your landlord holds specific responsibilities outlined in your tenancy agreement. It’s essential to comprehend what repairs they are responsible for and how to report them. Here we look into the repair obligations of landlords and tenants in England so that you fully understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.

Maintaining the state of the property and guaranteeing a safe and liveable living environment for tenants depends on landlords doing required repairs.

Structure and exterior maintenance

Maintaining the structure and outside look of the property mostly falls to your landlord. This covers walls, roof, foundations, drains, guttering, outside pipes, windows, and outside doors. These locations should need repairs right away.

Plumbing and fixtures

The landlord also has duty for basins, sinks, bathtubs, toilets and related pipes. Should problems with these plumbing fittings develop, they have to plan for replacements or repairs.

Utility systems

Water and gas pipe maintenance, electrical wiring, water tanks, boilers, radiators, gas fires, fitted electric fires and fitted heaters falls on the landlord. These have to be kept sufficiently to guarantee your comfort and safety on the property.

Your landlord has a legal duty to ensure your home is fit for human habitation. This applies to most tenancy types and failure to meet this obligation should be quickly addressed. If you believe your home is unfit for human habitation, you should contact a solicitor for guidance and assistance if nothing is happening to resolve the issue.

Noting your landlord of any required repairs promptly is quite vital. They are only required to handle repairs once the problem has come to their knowledge.

• Note the repairs required and compile any supporting documentation, including videos or pictures, to bolster your argument.
• Contact your landlord using the recommended communication channel specified in your tenancy agreement. Clearly and in great detail explain what is needed.
•  Send a courteous reminder or ask for a meeting to go over the repairs if your landlord does not react or delays their addressing.

In some cases, it can be considered carelessness if the request to fix is not met for more than 21 days. Your housing group or council may be legally responsible if the repair isn’t done within two to three months.

While your landlord is responsible for ensuring habitability, there are instances where the responsibility shifts to you as the tenant:

• Taking care of minor repairs, like replacing fuses and light bulbs, exhibits responsibility and self-sufficiency in maintaining your home.
• Keeping your home reasonably clean.
• Not causing any damage to the property and making sure your visitors don’t cause any damage.
• Using any fixtures and fittings properly, for example, not blocking a toilet by flushing something unsuitable down it.

Your landlord is not obligated to address problems you caused the problem through negligence or unreasonable behaviour.

You may be held responsible for property conditions if:

• You fail to maintain your home adequately. For example, not utilising an extractor fan after showering, resulting in excessive dampness.
• Your actions or behaviours are unreasonable, such as leaving burning candles unattended when you leave the property.

In your tenancy agreement, there is usually a provision stating that you must provide access for repair work and outlining the repairs your landlord is responsible for. Whether you have a written or verbal agreement, it’s generally understood that landlords or their agents can access the property for repair assessments.

To ensure transparency, landlords or agents must give you at least 24 hours’ notice before visiting and offer a reasonable time frame, such as between 8 am and 6 pm. However, you may have the opportunity to negotiate a more suitable time with your landlord. Remember to review your tenancy agreement, as it might grant you a longer notice period.

Negligence is the state of affairs when the negligent actions of the landlord results in damage or injury to you or your property. If they neglect required repairs after advice or if they carry out the repairs incorrectly or even dangerously, they could be deemed negligent.

You might be entitled legally if your landlord’s negligence results in damage to your possessions or injuries. Seeking legal guidance will help you to grasp your alternatives and the actions you should follow.

Your landlord owes you particular obligations of care under the Defective Premises Act 1972. These seek to avoid physical injury or material damage resulting from flaws in your house. The responsibilities cover you, your family, and guests to your house.

If you are a disabled tenant, your landlord may have an obligation to make reasonable adjustments upon your request. However, they are not required to remove or alter physical features of the property that would be impractical or unfeasible.

Need legal advice about what your rights are as a tenant? Contact our experienced team at 020 8578 778 or email us at contact@silveroaksolicitors.com.