What is the tenant responsible for?
The tenant is responsible for:
Furniture
The tenant is usually responsible for keeping furniture in
good condition, but the landlord may be responsible for replacing
furniture worn out by natural wear and tear.
Internal decorations
The tenant is usually responsible for minor repairs to
internal decorations unless the disrepair is caused by dampness or
wear and tear (then it becomes the landlord's responsibility).
Redecorating
Tenants should not have to redecorate a property unless (a)
they have damaged the decoration, or (b) it is specified in the
tenancy agreement. In these cases, your landlord may want to keep
all or part of the deposit unless you repair any damage before you
leave.
If you want to decorate the property yourself, you will usually
need the permission of the landlord, who can specify what changes
you are allowed to make.
Electrical appliances
The landlord will not usually have an obligation to maintain
or replace electrical appliances like fridges, freezers, washing
machines and cookers unless stated in the tenancy agreement. If
there is no written tenancy agreement, the landlord may be
responsible for any items.
Gardens
It is often the tenant's responsibility for the upkeep of a
garden, but tenants are not required to clean up or carry out
improvements to a garden already in a mess. If you do not have a
written tenancy agreement, the landlord is usually responsible for
garden repairs unless you agreed otherwise when you moved in.