A landlord is the individual responsible for renting out a property. It is their property, and they are in control of the tenancy, alongside any letting agency’s input. 

A tenant is someone who lives in a property owned by someone else. They pay a monthly rent to the landlord or to an external company on behalf of the landlord.

So, this begs the question of who is responsible for the maintenance of a rented property. The person who owns it, or the person who lives in it?

We’ve created a landlord maintenance checklist for landlords to help maintain an awareness of where their landlord maintenance obligations lay. We’ve also compiled a list of what tenants are generally expected to upkeep in a rental property.

What are the landlord's maintenance responsibilities?

Are landlords responsible for the maintenance of a property? In short, a landlord is responsible for many safety checks, repairs and maintenance inside and outside the property. They must repair and complete preventative maintenance and safety checks (link blog there about preventing issues?). Here are examples of what a landlord is expected to repair, check and maintain:

• Interior and exterior walls, including windows and doors
• Foundations of the property
• Heating, hot water, and boilers
• Electrical safety and wiring
• Gas appliances, pipes, and ventilation
• Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
• Pipes and drains - including blockages
• Baths, sinks, toilets - general plumbing
• Stairs and bannisters
• The roof and gutters
• Ensuring appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers are safe and working
• Issues with mould or infestation
• Some landlords are responsible for the common areas of your building if it’s in a block of flats, such as entrance halls and staircases

A landlord is responsible for ensuring that the property is safe and fit for human habitation. Suppose it isn’t (only due to the landlord’s failed duty, not the tenant’s cause). In that case, tenants can contact the local council where a Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) property inspection will take place, assessing for health and safety hazards.

You can read further about how landlords can prioritise the health and safety of their tenants here: How to protect the health & safety of your tenants.

Are tenants responsible for maintenance? The tenant’s responsibilities

The main responsibility of a tenant is to let the landlord know if there are any issues with the property. The issue can’t be fixed if the landlord is unaware of them!

As soon as there is an issue, tenants should make you, the landlord, aware to ensure the problem is resolved as soon as possible.  As a  landlord, you havean obligation to your tenants to repair the issue in a reasonably timed manner.

A tenant in a rented property is responsible for:

• Looking after the property in a ‘homely’ way
• Keeping the property clean and in good condition
• Maintaining garden or outside areas (if specified in tenancy agreement)
• Changing light bulbs
• Replacing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Ensuring the property is ventilated so that condensation doesn’t develop, especially in the bathrooms and kitchen.

How LetsInsure Can Help

LetsInsure is a professional and experienced provider of Home Emergency Assistance, Rent Guarantee Insurance, and Deposit Replacement Insurance for landlords of rental properties. We offer personalised protection, compliance and advice to landlords across the UK.

By working with our friendly team and using our insurance policies, landlording is made easier. You can trust our expertise and successful results to assist you in the journey of renting out your property. Whether it’s regarding landlord property maintenance, or insurance to go hand and hand with it, we're here to help.

You can sign up to our services for free or contact us with any questions you may have and we will be more than happy to help!