What are my landlord's responsibilities?
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By Time Out editors
Posted: Thu Aug 23 2007 -
Everyone has a landlord horror story, but exactly how far do their responsibilities go? Sarah Mitchell of the charity Shelter, which helps 170,000 people a year ’find and keep a home‘, outlines tenants‘ legal position
Basic expectations
‘First and foremost are some basic safety standards all landlords should provide by law. They must get a (CORGI-registered) gas safety certificate for every appliance in the property and then ensure that any necessary work identified by gas engineers is carried out. Similarly, they must ensure that electrical equipment is safe and that any furniture meets with fire safety standards. It’s worth asking your landlord to provide (and maintain) a carbon monoxide detector. While it’s not a legal requirement, it’s in everyone’s interests for it to be fitted.
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‘Landlords are also responsible for most kinds of repairs to the exterior and structure of the property. If repairs do need to be carried out, you shouldn’t be unduly disturbed as a tenant. Landlords can’t just turn up, you should be given proper notice (the amount may be specified in your agreement). Notice (written) plus a court order is usually necessary to evict a tenant.
‘Landlords should be contactable and must give their name and a UK contact address – even if the property is managed by a letting agent. Make any requests in writing, send it recorded delivery and keep a copy. If you don’t get a reply within 21 days of them receiving it, they are committing a criminal offence.’
What should tenants do if their landlord doesn’t carry out repairs?
‘Landlords are legally required to carry out most repairs on your property. But you need to consider the risk that your landlord might try to evict you rather than do the work, especially if you have a short tenancy. Think carefully about taking action. However, if your landlord is being unreasonable, you should contact a local advice centre to find out how you can take action. See the Shelter website for your nearest housing advice centre.’
How can I make sure my landlord treats me fairly?
‘Landlords and tenants should have a written agreement set out at the beginning of a tenancy clearly stating the responsibilities of both
parties, giving them legal recourse if problems occur. If there is a discussion about damage, unpaid rent or withholding of deposits, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme will provide protection for landlords and tenants. At the moment, 127,000 private tenants have their deposits unfairly withheld by their landlord each year. The TDS will mean rental deposits will be held either in a custodial scheme or will be protected by an insurance scheme. The deposits will be held in a ring-fenced account, and obtained only through mutual agreement at the end of the tenancy.’
For more on general tenants’ rights visit www.shelter.org.uk/knowyourrights, a new service aimed at 16 to 25-year-olds.- Add your comment to this feature
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39 comments
What do you do when your landlord refuses to move their furniture out and you do not have use of the entire house but still have to pay full rent?
uptate to my story. have been given section 21 to quit. been to council said was not priority, just have wait see what happens am dissabled so they have find me some where
I lived in my house for 7 years and since i moved in my landlord has been promising to fix things. some thing he dose right away. but I told him on the 1st of this month when he picked up the rent to fix my front door because it dosent close properly. what can i do to make him fix it this is the 2nd time i tell him.i first told him last month.
hi i just rented this property 7mths ago. my landlord said he get all repairs done, front door dnt shut properly, old gas boiler thats knackerd, lights keep tripping have reported him. im also dissabled fire/boiler 1 inch thick with dust behind, when boiler on i have asthma attack one after other, any advice you could give me would be nice. also not getting double glazing now as he got no money
Hi . I just moved into a little apartment . I love it , I live with my bf and my cat . I cant say much about anything just on how its very nice and comfortable . My one and only Problem is my land lord . She never comes into the apartment when we are there . She always goes in it when we arn't . And its never for an emergency. Ive heard you have to give 24hr notice . I wouldnt mind if she didnt go in altleast 4 times a week . And then tells me to do the dishes and throw my garbage out , Just to let you know I Am a clean freak , And i feel very very Violated that she is in my home and in my things all the time . And i dont know what she is getting into when im gone . please help me , I even put a nice note on my door stating ! Can you please give me 24 notice before comming into the apartment unless its an emergency. I dont feel comforable with people in my apartment when im not home thank you very much , She threw it out and still comes in whenever she pleases . I know she does bc she tells me what I should do when I get in my Apartment and she lets my un-fixed cat out all the time bc she is a older women and cant hold the cat back , and says its the cats fault not hers . well thats all i need is 5 kittens sometime soon . I would love help to figure out what would be the best way to keep her out of my buissness and apartment and to give me a heads up when she wants to come in , And make sure im home and knocks before she enters .
I MOVED INTO A PROPERTY SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WHICH HAS DEVELOPED A CONDENSATION/DAMP PROBLEM tHERE ARE LARGE PATCHES OF DAMP IN THE KITCHEN AND LANDING AREA. THE LANDLORD HAS SO FAR HAD SOME WORK DONE TO TRY AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND BOUGHT US A DEHUMIDIFIER. THE WORK WHICH WAS CARRIED OUT BY BUILDERS WAS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PROPERTY AND HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE TO THE PROBLEM WITH DAMP INSIDE. WE ARE COLLECTING QUITE ALOT OF WATER IN THE DEHUMIDIFIER BUT IT IS EXPENSIVE TO RUN AND DOESNT SOLVE THE FACT THAT WATER IS ON THE WALLS. Help!!!! tHE LANDLORD IS ENCOURAGING US TO FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO LIVE AS THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AND WE ARE WORRIED THAT WE WILL BE HAVING TO PAY RENT ON A PROPERTY WHICH IS UNHEALTHY & UNBEARABLE TO LIVE IN IN THE MEAN TIME.
My heating system is an old back bolier and is costing me afortune in gas. I have to have it on for 2 hours before is starts to get hot, and then its not boiling as the bottoms of the radiators are still cold and not hot to touch. the house is never warm. Iam suffering with my chest and now have devoloped astma. Is my landlords responsibility to keep the house up to date.
I've moved to this flat on August 2011..and i went abroad for 2 months and my landlord had change all the lockers!! I've missed 2 months payment, but I gave him £2.500 Dopesit!!
He has not right to get in my flat and take all my identities !!
I need help please
Dear friend,
please give me some solution to my problem.
my problem is, as per our agreement landlord mentioned some point's like, water charges is Rs. 350, but now they are collecting from us 450rs. and as per agreement separate meter but for two house only one electricity meter. so what kind of action can i take........
kindly reply me......
i have had to move out of my property for two weeks due to my oiler not working its the middle of winter and have no hot water or gas im still waiting for this problem to be solved do i have to pay rent for the period i am not in the home for i am not in rent arreas and pay on time every month.
I have been in my rented 3 bed house for 5 months now. So far 2 of the windows have broke, there's been a leak in the bathroom, the oven has broke, the oven door has been left hanging off, and now the boiler has broke 3 times in as many days. Im being left with no heating or hot water with a 1 year old and a 2 year old who is covered in chicken pox and can't have a bath. This is the 3rd day and i am livid. He keeps sending out a mate to fix it but after an hour its goes off again. Its becoming apparent the boiler needs repairing but he doesn't want to fork out for it. If no action is taken by tomorrow morning i will have to vacate the property till the boiler is replaced. Can i with hold rent for the period i can't stay here? I am upto date with rent, it has always been paid in full and on time.
ive been renting for 18months and moved out last week.the landlord has said that there is damp in a corner wall and wants me to pay for half the repair as i didnt notify him about it.im not a damp expert and didnt really notice it.any advice thanks. jo
My landlord hasn't had my boiler serviced since may 2010, it has now broken bowman and flooded my house with disgusting smelly water that has come through the floor space and ceiling, it has soaked all my furnature, tv, wall photos ect, do I have the right to claim damages off him as he seems to think its not his fault.
how long has this website been out and when was it last updated?
i have been in my house for 3months and they still have not been out to check the repairs that need doing they have said twice they will be out such a day so i waited in all day but nobody came also the when i asked the estate agents for my landladys phone number they i am not a loud i am not happy and whant to move so now the estate agents are saying i have to pay 275 finders fee so they can find somebody else is there any thing i can do to help me move out straight away
thank you
elaine