Landlords Responsibilities

Hibberts Solicitors offer first class legal advice

Even if your tenancy agreement is only an oral agreement there are still obligations on the landlord to ensure the property being rented out is safe and provides basic amenities. Usually a written agreement will go further but it cannot exclude the statutory obligations.

Section 11 Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 states that the landlord must keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling house and in proper working order the installations for the supply of water, gas, electricity, sanitation, space and water heating.

The standard of repair is one that makes the property fit for occupation. Things like rising damp are now required to be rectified.

Landlords also have to ensure that the property is free from Category 1 hazards under the Health and Safety Standards for rented homers (HHSRS). These defects are ones which pose a serious risk to the tenant’s health and safety, and can include damp, leaking roofs, mould, excessive cold, trips or falls on stairs floors or paths, faulty boilers, fire and dangerous electrics, vermin or poor security.

If you don’t meet these standards you can be served with Enforcement or Improvement Notices and may be unable to regain possession of your property for a considerable time.

Many years of experience acting for both landlords and tenants in the problematic area of possession proceedings allow our team to ensure you receive the right advice when you need it to secure your property.