Maintaining standards of repair for private rented properties
Private landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that a rented house meets a legal standard of repair called the Repairing Standard.
The Repairing Standard
Landlords of privately rented properties must follow these rules:
- The property must be wind and water tight in all other respects reasonably fit for people to live in.
- The structure and exterior (including drains, gutters and external pipes) must be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order.
- Installations for supplying water, gas and electricity and for sanitation, space heating and heating water must be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order.
- Any fixtures, fittings and appliances that the landlord provides under the tenancy must be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order.
- Any furnishings that the landlord provides under the tenancy must be capable of being used safely for the purpose for which they are designed.
- The property must have a satisfactory way of detecting fires and for giving warning in the event of a fire or suspected fire.
Every landlord who is required to register as a private landlord must comply. A letting agent may rent a property on behalf of a landlord but the landlord is still responsible for complying with the Repairing Standard.
Resolving disputes
Tenants have a right to refer matters to the Housing and Property Chamber if they have notified their landlord of a problem and it is not attended to satisfactorily or there is a disagreement over whether or not there is a problem. The panel has the power to make a landlord carry out work necessary to meet the Repairing Standard.
Please note: Electrical Safety
The final date to have your Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) completed was 1st December 2016. If you do not have an EICR you do not currently comply with the requirements of the Repairing Standard and should take steps to have this rectified immediately. While our aim is to ensure that landlords comply with the legal obligations you should be aware that failure to comply could result in a review of your approved registration status and potentially removal from the register which could have significant implications for you as a landlord.
