Repair Responsibilities for Tenants

An article explaining Repair Responsibilities for Tenants and the common repair obligations arising under a tenancy.

Your tenancy agreement outlines the landlord and tenant rights which must be followed.  As a tenant you have rights regarding repairs that the landlord should be carrying out.  We have a list of specific repairs which should be made if needed during a tenancy.

1. The structure and exterior of the building must remain in good shape.  The landlord needs to ensure the walls, floors, window frames, drains, gutters, pipes, etc are in good repair.  If something is faulty they must fix it or arrange to have it fixed.

2. Water, gas pipes, and electrical wiring also fall under the responsibility of the landlord.

3. Trouble with the basins, sinks, baths, and toilets are also required to be fixed.

4. Heaters and water heaters must also be repaired if they break down.

The landlord must adhere to health and safety rules set out by the government.  This means each year they must have a qualified individual inspect their rental property for health and safety requirements.  They also have to fix the above as it has bearing on the health and safety of the renters during the tenancy.  The laws also state a landlord must provide habitable accommodation to the renters, which means it must adhere to certain building standards in order to be a rental property.
In the event that the landlord is not following the tenancy agreement there are a number of things that you can do.  They may seek action against the landlord to invoke the repairs.  There is also a right to repair in the UK.

The right to repair states that tenants of registered landlords may use the scheme in order to claim compensation for repairs that the landlord did not carry out.  For example if your water heater breaks down the landlord has a certain amount of time to carry out the repair.  If this time elapses and they have done nothing to get the repair done you, as the tenant, may repair the problem.  You can then seek a court notice which states that the landlord must either pay you for the repair or you may doc that amount from the rent.

Before you use the right to repair scheme however, you need to speak with a qualified professional.  By speaking with a professional in real estate law you will be clear on the exact manner the scheme can be carried out.  You can also ensure that you will not be evicted in the event that the landlord has an issue with your seeking repayment for the repairs.  There are certain levels of compensation you are able to get depending on what type of landlord you have and how many properties they own.  Since the scheme is complicated you do not want to act without advice.  You also do not want to just stop paying rent in the hope that the landlord will fix the problem.  To do this will give the landlord a justified means of evicting you on the grounds that you are in arrears.