What are your obligations as a landlord?

As a landlord, understanding your maintenance responsibilities is crucial. A good adherence to your maintenance obligations will ensure that your rental property is secure and liveable for tenants. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the most important maintenance responsibilities that landlords in the UK have.

Repair and maintenance of the property
Landlords are responsible for maintaining the interior and exterior of the property. This includes the structure, as well as the internal installations for water, gas, electricity, heating and sanitation. This includes ensuring that the property is structurally sound, free from damp and mould, and has functioning appliances and fixtures.

Safety of the property
Landlords have a duty to ensure that the rental property is safe for tenants to live in. This includes maintaining any gas, electrical or fire safety equipment, such as smoke alarms, and ensuring that any potential hazards are identified and dealt with promptly.

Maintenance of common areas
If the rental property is part of a larger building or complex, landlords are responsible for maintaining any common areas, such as hallways or gardens. This includes ensuring that they are clean and free from any hazards.

Prompt repairs
Landlords have an obligation to respond promptly to any repair requests from tenants, and to carry out any necessary repairs or maintenance work within a reasonable timeframe. If repairs aren’t carried out in a timely manner, legal action is often taken.

Property inspections
Landlords also need to carry out regular inspections of the rental property. These inspections ensure the unit is being kept in good condition and that maintenance or repair issues are identified and dealt with promptly.

Maintaining your rental property to a high standard has a huge amount of benefits. From maximising your yield, ensuring high occupancy rates, and maintaining good relationships with tenants, you’ll see benefits across the board.

If you need help maintaining your property, or are looking for advice in general, please don’t hesitate to contact our experts today.