Key Repair Responsibilities - how to keep your tenants safe
Landlords are responsible for most repairs in a privately rented property. However, landlords can only make repairs when they are told about them either via text message, email or using a third-party service like our Log A Job platform service.
What do landlords have to repair?
In the first instance, all repair obligations should be detailed in the tenancy agreement however, there are things that landlords are obligated to fix whether or not it is stated in the tenancy agreement. These responsibilities can’t be removed by anything your tenancy agreement may say and landlords aren’t allowed to charge tenants for any repair work that is their responsibility to fix.
So it is a good idea for landlords to have a sinking fund for these types of obligations so should they need to fix something urgently, there are funds available to use to help ensure landlords are meeting their legal obligations to keep the privately rented property in a state of good repair. So things like
- the structure and exterior of your home, i.e., the roof, the walls, the drains, windows etc
- toilets, sinks, baths and drains
- electrical wiring
- radiators
- water and gas pipes
- heating and hot water
The timescales to fix a repair will depend on what needs to be done and how serious it is however in all cases the landlord must carry out repairs within a reasonable period of time.
Don’t tenants have responsibilities too?
Yes, tenants are responsible for some repairs as well as paying for it themselves. They are responsible for
- fixing furniture or appliances they own
- any damage caused by themselves, their guests and/or family guests
- any minor repairs set out in the agreed tenancy agreement
Additionally, if tenants don’t take responsible care to keep things like toilets or drains clear, landlords can ask the tenant to pay the repair costs.
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