Tenancy agreement
Repairs
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985, the landlord is responsible by law for certain repairs. Generally speaking, the landlord is responsible for repairs to the structure and exterior of the property, sinks, baths, and any other sanitary installations within the property. They should also ensure there is adequate heating to the property, although the law is a little vague on what type of heating this should be. The tenant must do minor jobs, like replacing fuses, or clearing a blocked sink. They must also repair damage that they or their visitors have caused.
You should report any disrepair to your landlord immediately and give him a reasonable amount of time to carry out the work. If your landlord fails to carry out the repairs, you should contact the Private Sector Housing Team who have statutory powers to enforce your landlord to carry out certain repairs.
You may also be able to take a civil claim for damages in the 'Small Claims Court'. The Citizen's Advice Bureau or the Housing Law Centre may be able to advise you on this.
Further information
For further information read:
- Repairs - a guide for landlords and tenants
- Reporting repairs