Landlord and tenant responsibilities for repairs
Who's responsible for repairs in your rented home?
Landlord's repair responsibilities
Your landlord is responsible for most repairs in your home. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations.
Their responsibilities include repairs to:
electrical wiring
gas pipes and boilers
heating and hot water
chimneys and ventilation
sinks, baths, toilets, pipes and drains
common areas including entrance halls and stairways
the structure and exterior of the building, including walls, stairs and bannisters, roof, external doors and windows
Your landlord should also redecorate if needed once the problem is fixed.
Your landlord is always responsible for these repairs even if your tenancy agreement says something different.
How long does your landlord have to do the repairs?
Your landlord must carry out repairs within a reasonable period of time. Timescales depend on how serious the problem is.
During the coronavirus outbreak, guidance on timescales and access to your home for repairs may vary depending on lockdown rules. GOV.UK - guidance for landlords and tenants has updates.
Check your contract for extra responsibilities
Your tenancy agreement might give your landlord additional responsibilities for repairs.
For example, there could be a term stating that the landlord is responsible for repairing faulty appliances such as a fridge or washing machine.
If your landlord won't do repairs they're responsible for you can take further action
Landlord’s responsibility for health and safety
Your landlord should make sure that your home is safe and free from any hazards.
Unless you have a fixed term tenancy which began before 20 March 2019, your landlord must make sure your home is fit to live in throughout your tenancy.
You may need to negotiate access to your home for repairs during the coronavirus outbreak. GOV.UK - guidance for landlords and tenants has updates.
Damp and mould
Your landlord must deal with damp and mould problems that are caused by disrepair or make the property unfit to live in.
Rats, mice and other pests
Your landlord must carry out any repairs needed to stop pests getting in to your home.
Gas safety
Your landlord must arrange gas safety checks every year.
Electrical installations and appliances
Your landlord must make sure that wiring, plug sockets and any electrical appliances they provide are safe.
Fire safety
Your landlord must install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms where needed.
Tenant's responsibilities
You have certain responsibilities regarding repairs and conditions in your home.
Looking after your home
You must use your home in a ‘tenant like manner’.
This means:
keeping your home reasonably clean
safety checks on electrical appliances you own
keeping gardens or outside areas in a reasonable state
minor maintenance such as changing light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries
You only need to maintain your home to a reasonable level. You don't have to leave it in a better condition than when you moved in.
Reporting problems
Report any repairs to your landlord as soon as possible.
Find out how to report a problem to a:
Access to your home
You must allow access to your home at reasonable times if the landlord or someone acting for them wants to inspect the condition of the property.
You're entitled to at least 24 hours' written notice of an inspection.
If the time isn't convenient you can suggest a better time.
Repairs you are responsible for
You're responsible for:
fixing appliances or furniture you own
damage caused by you, your family or your guests
any minor repairs set out in your tenancy agreement
You might have to pay for a repair problem you caused, even if your landlord would normally be responsible.
Your landlord could ask you to pay repair costs for things like blocked drains, pipes or toilets if you didn't take reasonable care to keep them free of blockages.
Your landlord might fix things that you've damaged but they can charge for this.
You're not responsible for normal wear and tear in your home.
Last updated: 2 November 2020
