Knowing your legal responsibilities as a landlord: Repairs, maintenance and compliance

Landlord-ing is more than collecting rent. You have a legal responsibility to keep your property safe, secure, and habitable. 

Non-compliance with these requirements can result in fines, being sued, or even endangering your tenants. This guide provides your main legal duties and how to stay compliant. 

Keeping the property safe and habitable

You must make the property safe to occupy on day one. That means: 

• The building must be sound and weather-tight 

• Heating, plumbing, gas, and electrics must be in working condition 

• The property must be free from serious damp or mould 

• There must be working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms 

Tenants should have a right to live in a safe and comfortable home. When something is not right, you are responsible for getting it fixed as soon as possible. 

Repair responsibilities

You as a landlord are responsible to repair and look after: 

• The roof, walls, doors, and windows 

• Gas appliances, pipework, and flues 

• Electrical wiring, sockets, and lighting 

• Plumbing, sinks, baths, toilets, and drainage 

• Heating and hot water systems 

Your tenants should tell you straight away if there is something wrong. You are as soon as you know responsible by law to have it repaired within a reasonable time. 

Gas safety regulations

Landlords must arrange an annual gas safety check for every property with gas appliances. The work has to be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer. 

You will be left with a Gas Safety Certificate (otherwise known as a CP12). You must give a copy to your tenants within 28 days of the check. You must keep records for at least two years. 

Failing to carry out gas safety checks will result in a large fine or even imprisonment if the tenants get hurt. 

Electrical safety standards

You must have an electrician carry out an inspection of the electrical installation on any property at least every five years. This will provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). 

Should the report identify any problems, you must carry out the necessary repairs within 28 days. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants. 

Fire safety requirements

All rental properties must have: 

• A working smoke alarm on each level 

• A carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel appliance (e.g. a wood burner) 

Test these alarms regularly and replace batteries as needed. 

In HMOs (houses or buildings with multiple tenants), there are extra fire safety requirements. These may include fire doors, fire extinguishers, and means of escape. 

Energy performance certificates (EPCs)

You must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate when renting out your property. The EPC shows how energy efficient the property is. 

Currently, rental properties must have a minimum EPC rating of E. In future, rules may change to require a rating of C or above. 

Keeping the property well insulated and maintaining the heating system can help improve the EPC rating. 

Tenant rights and responsibilities

While most repairs are the responsibility of the landlord, the tenants also have some obligations. These include: 

• Informing immediately of problems 

• Looking after the property on a daily basis 

• Not wilfully damaging it 

• Granting permission for repair and safety checks 

Open communication avoids disputes and leaves both parties content. 

How YourRepair can help landlords stay compliant

It can feel like working full-time in maintaining legal requirements. Landlord care packages from YourRepair make it easy to stay compliant and reduce the stress. 

With YourRepair, landlords get: 

• Annual gas safety checks and certificates as part of the package 

• Electrical safety checks on offer 

• Boiler servicing and heating cover 

• Plumbing, drainage, and electrical cover for the unforeseen repairs 

• 24 hour emergency helpline and reliable engineers across the nation 

Exclusive NRLA member discount

NRLA members get 20% off any YourRepair landlord care plan when they buy through NRLA. This is a great way to stay legal, insure your property, and stay safe with your tenants. 

Being in compliance doesn't have to be a pain. With the right help, you can easily meet your legal obligations with confidence. 

Discover more and claim your free NRLA offer below.