Being a council or social housing tenant can often feel overwhelming, with numerous rules and regulations that may leave you feeling let down by a system that should be supporting you. Understanding your landlord’s responsibilities and their duty of care towards you can give you the leverage you need to resolve longstanding problems with your home. Here are 5 responsibilities your landlord may have that you might not be aware of.
1. Electricity – Wires and Sockets
Electricity plays a crucial role in modern life, powering everything from kettles to the device you’re reading this on. However, it also poses a danger—government statistics show that electricity causes over 20,000 fires annually in the UK, accounting for almost half of all accidental house fires. Around 70 people a year are killed in electrical accidents, with 350,000 more suffering serious injuries.
While it’s your responsibility to ensure the appliances you own are in safe working order, such as checking that your phone chargers are not damaged, the wiring and plug sockets within the property are the responsibility of your council or housing association. If you notice cracks or damage to a plug socket, do not use it as it could\ result in fire or electric shock. Report the issue to your landlord immediately and keep a written record of when and what you reported.
2. Health and Safety
While some minor maintenance tasks, such as replacing smoke alarm batteries or changing \light bulbs, fall under your responsibility, there are several hazards that your landlord must address to ensure your home is safe. These include:
– Damp or mould
– Excessive cold
– Faulty or dangerous boilers
– Lack of security, such as poorly fitted front doors
– Fire risks, including faulty electrical sockets and poor wiring
– Broken stairs and pathways that could be a tripping hazard
– Ensuring gas appliances are safe and inspected annually by a Gas Safe engineer
– Fire safety, including smoke detectors on each floor, carbon monoxide detectors in rooms with wood or coal fires, and ensuring furniture like sofas and mattresses are fire resistant
Landlords cannot dismiss your complaints with inadequate solutions. For example, telling you to “open a window” to fix a severe mould problem is not acceptable, especially if the house isn’t being properly heated or insulated. The landlord must address the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.
3. Replacing White Goods
Your tenancy agreement may state that your landlord is responsible for replacing faulty large appliances, such as fridges, washing machines, driers, and dishwashers. These are costly and essential for daily living, so it’s important to know where the responsibility lies.
Always read your tenancy agreement carefully and take notes of such responsibilities. This way, you have written proof if you need to request repairs or replacements.
4. Repair Timeframes
Landlords are required to carry out repairs promptly, although the timeframe can depend on the type of repair needed. They should keep you informed about how and when repairs will be done. Reasonable time limits for completing repairs generally include:
– 24 Hours for emergency repairs (e.g., burst pipes or total loss of water supply)
– 7 Days for urgent repairs (e.g., leaking roofs or blocked drains)
– 28 days for routine repairs (e.g., faulty windows or broken extractor fans)
These are general guidelines, and specific timeframes may vary depending on your landlord. The “Right to Repair” scheme is also available for council tenants, allowing minor repairs under £250 to be addressed quickly.
5. Wear and Tear
Your landlord cannot charge you for repairs caused by normal wear and tear. This refers to the gradual deterioration of items through everyday use. Examples include:
– Carpets becoming threadbare over time
– Peeling paint from windows due to weather exposure
– Faded wallpaper or paint
– Cracked plaster on walls
While you are responsible for maintaining the property, your landlord cannot expect the property to remain in the same condition as when you moved in. Issues like damp caused by leaking pipes are not due to daily wear and tear and must be addressed by the landlord.
If your landlord is neglecting their responsibilities, contact Housing Disrepair Aid. We can help bring your landlord to account and secure the repairs and compensation you deserve.