Landlord liability for repairs

Introduction

In most cases in the private rented sector, landlords are expected to keep any property they let to tenants, in a good state of repair and well maintained. Equally, tenants are expected to ensure they act in a 'tenant-like manner' and not cause damage to the property besides anything that would class as 'fair wear and tear'.

To ensure landlords understand these obligations in full, this guidance will cover the obligations placed on them and their tenants during the life of a tenancy. In it we will discuss what is meant by a repair as opposed to an improvement, the scope of Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, what the landlord is responsible for under the Defective Premises Act 1972, and information on other areas of the law where a repair may be necessary. 

Landlord's repairing obligations under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

Every residential tenancy of less than 7 years has a term implied into it under which the landlord undertakes various repairing responsibilities. These are: