Information for landlords of privately rented homes

Repair responsibilities 

A landlord is responsible for most repairs in a rental home. Responsibilities include repairs to:

• electrical wiring
• gas pipes and boilers
• heating and hot water
• chimneys and ventilation
• sinks, baths, toilets, pipes and drains
• common areas including entrance halls and stairways
• the structure and exterior of the building, including walls, stairs and bannisters, roof, external doors and windows

If repairs do need to be done, the landlord should also redecorate, if needed, once the problem is fixed. The landlord is always responsible for these repairs even if the tenancy agreement says something different.

How long does the landlord have to do repairs?

Repairs must be carried out within a reasonable period of time. The timescale depends on how serious the problem is.

More information on landlord’s responsibilities can be found on the government website, GOV.UK - Renting out your propertyOpens in new tab.