Tenants! What is your landlord responsible for?

Not everything needs reporting. With some good old-fashioned common sense, you should be able to address several issues yourself because don't forget, if you call us out unnecessarily, your landlord will get charged and they will pass you the bill. Below is a succinct guide so that as a tenant, you're in the know...

What is your landlord responsible for?

Your landlord is responsible for ensuring that all furniture, which has been provided as part of the tenancy, complies with the furniture and furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. Your landlord is responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances, which have been provided as part of the tenancy, comply with Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Your landlord is responsible for ensuring that all electrical appliances, which have been provided as part of the tenancy, comply with Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, and with the Plugs and Sockets etc (Safety) Regulations 1994.

Your landlord is responsible for the structure of your building, drains, gutters and down pipes. If the property is a flat, then the Freeholder and its managing agent will ensure that these are maintained. The landlord is also responsible for maintaining the heating and hot water, sanitary appliances, installation of gas, electric and water at the property which will be repaired as necessary throughout the tenancy, unless the fault has been caused by the neglect or misuse of the tenants, in which case you will be responsible. You must inform the office of any potential problems that may cause damage to the property such as a bath seal which requires replacement. You are also responsible for reporting anything that may cause harm or poses a hazard to you.

Care of the property

You should ensure that you treat the property and the fixtures and fittings in a Tenant like manner. Should you or your visitors damage anything at the property then you will be responsible for the arrangement and the cost of the repair to this damage. If you fail to do so within a reasonable timescale and notice, then the local office may arrange for the work to be completed and charge the costs to you. These costs can also be sought from your Guarantors where necessary and reports of damage will be relayed to all Guarantors in writing.

Malicious damage

Any malicious damage or break in at the property must be reported to the police. Should you wish to make a claim using your personal insurance; the company will no doubt require a crime number. Your landlord’s insurer may also require a crime number.

Gas and gas appliances

Any gas appliances in the property will be maintained and checked annually for safety by an appointed qualified contractor. we will contact you prior to this date to make an appointment for the contractor to attend the property.

Electricity and the trip switches

Most modern electric circuits are fitted with circuit breakers and these are called trip switches. If a fault occurs for any reason, as a safety devise, the trip switch will ‘trip’ meaning that the electric will switch off in a certain area of the property – this could be lights, certain rooms etc.

The switch can trip due to a number of reasons which include: - overload of sockets, an appliance having a fault, or because a bulb has blown. To reset the trip, simply flick the switch back to the opposite direction.

Get in touch with us today if there's anything you're unsure of!

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