Landlords' repair duties
In England and Wales, landlords of most residential tenancies are responsible for keeping in repair the installations for the supply of water and for sanitation – basins, sinks, baths, toilets and their pipes – and for heating and hot water. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own, similar rules. These duties can't usually be passed to the tenant in the tenancy agreement.
- Repairing leaks from pipes, taps and fittings
- Keeping toilets, baths, basins and sinks in working order
- Maintaining the boiler, hot water and heating
- Arranging an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Assessing and controlling the risk of legionella in the water system
Tenants' responsibilities
Tenants are expected to use the property in a reasonable way and report problems promptly. That includes not flushing wipes or fat down toilets and sinks, keeping the heating on enough to prevent freezing in winter, and knowing where the stopcock is. Damage caused by a tenant's misuse may be their responsibility to put right.
Need a plumber for this?
Describe the job and compare free quotes from plumbers near you.
- Free to use
- No obligation
- Compare local plumbers
- Quick online form
You'll continue to our quotes partner, MyJobQuote, to describe your plumbing job.
Emergencies
If water is escaping, tenants should turn off the stopcock, protect belongings and contact the landlord or agent immediately. Many tenancy agreements include an emergency contact or plumber. Landlords should make sure tenants know where the stopcock is and how to reach someone out of hours.
For landlords: planned maintenance
Regular checks between tenancies – testing stopcocks and valves, checking for slow leaks, servicing showers and replacing worn parts – reduce emergency call-outs and complaints. Many landlords keep a regular plumber who knows their properties.
