When you are renting a property, there may be some disputes around what the landlord is responsible for when it comes to maintaining the property. Whilst your tenancy agreement will usually set out the landlord’s responsibilities, this does not always make it clear exactly what is included in relation to making sure the property is in good state of repair.

The tenant’s responsibilities 

As a tenant living in the property, if there is a part of the property that requires repairs, you should notify the landlord to allow them to take the necessary action to get the issue resolved. You should then give the landlord adequate time to make arrangements to get the repairs completed.

The tenant is responsible for some of the property maintenance such as blown fuses and replacing lightbulbs. The tenant should ensure that they or their visitors do not damage the property, in which case the tenant is responsible for getting the repairs done.

The tenant should also use fixtures and fittings responsibly to minimise any damage e.g. not flushing unsuitable products down the toilet, which could cause the toilet to block.

The landlord is not responsible for repairs to any item that the tenant has brought to the property, although damage to your belongings may be their responsibility if the damage is caused by disrepair. 

What repairs the landlord is responsible for?

When you report any of the following to the landlord, they should arrange repair:

• Damage to exterior walls, windows roof and any other external fittings
• Damage to sanitary appliances such as toilets, baths, sinks
• Gas appliances that are not working and were provided as part of the rental (these should be regularly maintained)
• Problems with central heating system or water system
• Any issues with electrical work

In all of these situations, you have the right to inform the landlord that repairs are required. There are also situations where you may be due compensation, for example where your belongings have been damaged due to the landlord’s failure to keep the property well maintained, for example, a leaking pipe damages your furniture.

Tenants can also be due compensation if they are unable to use part or all of the property whilst the property has damage making it unhabitable. If the property has damp that isn’t resolved, which results in medical conditions such as asthma or allergies then the tenant can also usually claim some compensation for this.

If you are unsure as to whether your landlord is responsible for certain repairs, you should take a look at your tenancy agreement. If you want any guidance or advice on claiming compensation for disrepair, you can speak to our team of disrepair experts at Emerald Law. Call us today to discuss your situation and we will be happy to help.