Housing Standards

Disrepair in Privately Rented Accommodation

Landlords who let accommodation have a responsibility to ensure that it is maintained to a good standard of repair.

The Landlord is responsible for:

• The structure - roofs, walls, windows, gutters, etc.
• Installations in the property for the supply of gas, water and electricity, including baths, WCs, sinks, etc.
• Installations for heating water - gas boilers, immersion heaters and space heating - storage heaters, radiators, gas fires, etc.
• Gas Safety 

In addition, the property should be free from damp, structurally stable, properly ventilated and have bathroom and kitchen facilities.

If there are problems with disrepair, then you should contact your landlord first to give him the opportunity to put it right. However, if you are still unsure if your landlord is responsible or won't carry out repairs then please contact our customer services team for help and advice.

We will normally arrange to visit your property to inspect the disrepair and advise on the action, including enforcement action if necessary, we can take to get repairs carried out.

For some dwellings, known as Houses in Multiple Occupation, Landlords have extra responsibilities for fire precautions and to ensure properties are properly managed.

• More on Houses in Multiple Occupation »

Examples of hazards to be aware of

Falls on steps due to the lack of a handrail

Falls on steps due to disrepair

The lack of opening restrictors on this window and the low sill height is creating a hazard for young children who can fall out

Penetrative damp to the wall of a property

Back to top