Landlord and tenant responsibilities
Your landlord's responsibilities
Your landlord is responsible for:
- keeping the structure and exterior of the property, including roof, walls, windows, drains and doors in a reasonable state of repair
- pipes supplying gas, electricity or water
- heating and hot water
- gas boilers and ventilation
- the shared or common areas of a property
The landlord is responsible for the safety of gas appliances (including gas boilers) and should be able to produce a gas safety certificate upon request. Appliances should be tested regularly by a qualified inspector, included on the Gas Safe Register. Enforcement of gas safety is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive.
Repairs in common areas shared by tenants, such as hallways, lifts and stairs, are also the responsibility of the landlord.
Your responsibilities
As the tenant, you are responsible for:
- keeping furniture in a reasonable condition
- minor repairs to internal decorations (tenants are not responsible for natural wear and tear)
- decorating, if you have caused damaged or it is specified in the tenancy agreement
- garden upkeep, unless agreed otherwise with your landlord
Responsibilities for damp
The landlord is responsible for damp caused by any structural defects, lack of damp proofing, poor ventilation, inadequate heating systems or a hole in the roof. Tell the landlord if damp is affecting your health.