72. WHAT REPAIRS ARE YOUR LANDLORD RESPONSIBLE FOR? Jack’s Tenant Empowerment - Empowering Social Tenants - Jack Lookman - Carew

72. WHAT REPAIRS ARE YOUR LANDLORD RESPONSIBLE FOR?

If you live in social housing in the UK, one of the most important things you can understand is this: your landlord is legally responsible for more than they often let on. Many tenants tolerate poor conditions simply because they are not fully aware of where responsibility lies.

Your landlord is responsible for the structure and exterior of your home. This includes the roof, walls, windows, doors, drains, gutters, and external pipes. If your roof starts leaking during heavy rain, that is not something you are expected to live with or fix yourself. The same applies to cracked walls, broken window frames, or faulty drainage causing water to pool around your home.

Inside the property, your landlord is responsible for keeping essential systems working properly. This includes gas, electricity, water supply, sanitation, heating, and hot water. If your boiler breaks down in winter, it is your landlord’s responsibility to repair or replace it. If there is an electrical fault that makes your home unsafe, that is not something you should ignore or attempt to fix yourself.

Bathrooms and kitchens fall under your landlord’s responsibility when it comes to functionality. Sinks, toilets, baths, and pipes must work properly. A blocked toilet that cannot be used, a leaking pipe under the sink, or a broken tap that cannot be turned off all fall within your landlord’s duties.

Damp and mould are also your landlord’s responsibility when they are caused by structural issues or poor ventilation design. This is where many tenants get misled. If damp is caused by a leaking roof, rising moisture, or faulty ventilation systems, your landlord must address the root cause, not just paint over the problem.

Fire safety is another area your landlord cannot neglect. Smoke alarms must be installed and maintained. In some properties, carbon monoxide detectors are also required. Fire doors, escape routes, and communal safety measures must be in proper working condition.

Communal areas are fully the landlord’s responsibility. If you live in a block of flats, things like stairwells, lifts, entry systems, lighting, and shared hallways must be maintained. If the lift is broken for weeks or lighting in communal areas fails, your landlord is responsible for fixing it.

Pest control can also fall under landlord responsibility, depending on the cause. If infestations are due to structural issues such as holes in walls, broken vents, or poor waste management systems, the landlord must take action.

What makes this complicated in real life is that landlords sometimes delay repairs or shift responsibility back onto tenants. You might hear things like “it’s wear and tear” or “you caused it,” even when that is not accurate. This is why documenting issues matters. Photos, dates, and written reports create a record that protects you.

The key idea to hold onto is simple. If the issue affects the safety, structure, or essential functioning of your home, it is very likely your landlord’s responsibility