Landlord and Tenant repair obligations in England?

Repair obligations are often a bone of contention between landlord and tenant. Various overlapping UK laws set out landlords' repair responsibilities. As these obligations are set in law any attempt to alter these responsibilities within a lease is automatically null and void.

3 pieces of law set out these repairing obligations:

• s 11 Landlord & Tenant Act 1985
• Housing Act 2004
• Homes (Fit for Human habitation) Act 2018

Technically a Landlords repair obligation does not arise until the landlord or agent becomes aware (apart from HMOs as these are subject to HMO Management Regulations 2006)

Landlords have several repair obligations including:

• Structure- walls, roof, windows and doors
• Sinks, baths, toilets
• Pipes and wiring
• Heating and hot water, for example the boiler
• The safety of gas and electrical appliances

Tenant repair responsibilities can include:

• Light bulbs/fuses
• Windows clean- exterior & interior
• Dispose of rubbish appropriately
• Keep drains clear/unblock sink/shower clear hair. Not to flush wet wipes
• Bleed radiators and re-pressurise boiler 
• Keep windows condensation free
• Garden maintenance

With the introduction of The Decent Homes Standard planned to extend to PRS by 2030, landlords' obligations will increase further.

If you require any assistance with your property management or inventory requirements in the Oxford area including  Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford, Witney, Woodstock & Burford please call me Julie Godard on 07557008203 or visit our website https://www.abbeyindependentinventories.co.uk