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Landlord AND Tenant Responsibilities
Date Added 08/09/2006
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There are a number of responsibilities that both a Landlord and Tenant have to consider when a residential property is let under an Assured Shorthold tenancy.
LANDLORDS must ensure the safety and maintenance of rented property and their contents so that no injury or damage is caused to the occupants, neighbours or the public.
The main areas of responsibility for a Landlord are:
REPAIRS – A landlord is obliged to keep the property in a good state of repair. A landlord has the final responsibility for ensuring that the following areas are safe and fit for use, as well as effecting repairs when necessary to restore them to a fair condition:
o The structure and exterior of the property;
o Any hot water installations, as well as the supply of water itself
o Basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary or drainage installations.
o Ensuring an adequate provision of lighting, heating and ventilation.
o Treating any health-threatening damp that occurs
o In flats and maisonettes a Landlord must also repair any other areas or installations, which is owned by the landlord and where disrepair would affect the tenant.
GAS SAFETY REGULATIONS compliance and
FIRE AND FURNISHING REGULATIONS compliance
TENANTS also have a number of responsibilities to consider when renting a property on a Shorthold tenancy agreement. The main responsibilities (subject to the terms of the particular tenancy agreement) are:
RENT - to pay the rent according to the amount and frequency set out in the tenancy agreement
COUNCIL TAX - the Tenant is normally responsible for payment of Council Tax.
WATER & SEWAGE RATES – Tenants are usually responsible for water rates if the property is self-contained.
UTILITY BILLS – it is usually the tenant’s responsibility to arrange for the services of the major utilities such as gas, electricity, telephone and television. It is important when moving into a property that a tenant informs the relevant authorities that they are now responsible for the paying of the bills and again when they leave the property.
MINOR REPAIRS – though it is generally considered that most repairs are the responsibility of the Landlord, small minor repairs such as changing a light bulb or a tap washer for example are considered the responsibility of the tenant.
Other responsibilities that tenants will have to be aware of include taking proper care of the property they are living in, keeping it in a good condition and using it in a reasonable way. A tenant has to also consider that the majority of their responsibilities will be highlighted in the tenancy agreement they will have to sign unless these terms are a contravention of the tenant’s rights in law.
Fulfilling these responsibilities during a tenancy can often be very time consuming, which is why a landlord should give careful consideration about appointing a property management company to deal with these important matters.
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