Responsibilities of Tenants and Landlords

Do you know your responsibilities as a tenant or landlord?

Tenants

Some tenants may think that because it's not their property, they don't have too respect it - wrong. As a tenant, you have a number of important responsibilities to follow to ensure that the property is well cared for and stays at the highest possible quality. 

Paying Rent

As a tenant, it is a legal requirement to pay your landlord your rent on time. If you don't pay your rent on time, than you could be evicted from your home as you have broken your tenancy agreement. Serious cases of unpaid rent can also lead to your landlord taking you too court.

Looking after the property

It sounds simple enough but hundreds of tenants every year don't care for the property at all. Keeping your property clean and tidy not only shows respect to your landlord but it also enables you to live in a nicer home - everyone's a winner.

When it comes to decorating your property, it's always best too ask your landlord first, but many would allow you too. 

Be considerate

It's common courtesy to consider your neighbours - especially all you students! If you're having a party or event, it's respectful to warn your neighbours in advance rather than wake them at 1am with loud music. Anyway, if you're not, you can be evicted for anti-social behaviour by your landlord. 

Not taking in a lodger

Don't take in a lodger or sub-let to somebody else without requesting permission from your landlord first - however, they are well in their right to say no. Remember, you don't own the property therefore it's not your decision to move others in. 

Know how things work

As a tenant, you need to know how to operate different appliances such as the boiler and where appliances like the stop clock, fuse box and metres are located. Also, if your a tenant in a flat or apartment, you may need to know how to work intercom alarm systems. 

You can't get your landlord round to help you every-time! 

Do regular checks

Did you know it's a legal requirement to regularly check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector? You should do this at least once a month - it is not just a job for your landlord!

Report repairs

Your landlord has a duty of care to fix repairs in the property unless they are a result of deliberate damage. Therefore, if you need a minor repair, inform your landlord immediately or you could be at risk of your deposit being affected if a minor repair becomes a major problem.

Landlords

Landlords, just like tenants, have a number of responsibilities.

Maintenance

Landlords have a duty to maintain the structure of the property and both it's interior and exterior. If there are any appliances that need maintaining than it is the landlord's responsibility to sort this out. Similarly, if furniture needs replacing due to 'wear and tear' than it is also down to the landlord, however, they are not expected to fix furniture or appliances that have been broken due to the action's of a tenant.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms

Landlords must, as a legal requirement, fit smoke alarms on every floor of the property and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with solid fuels, e.g: coal and wood. It is vital that landlords ensure that these work at the start of each tenancy and if not, it is a priority that they are fixed.

Deal with problems

If there are any problems with supplies in the property such as water, electricity and gas than landlords are responsible for dealing with these. If a landlord buys-to-let through an agency, than they can arrange for a professional to come to the property to sort this out.

Gas safety

Landlords should arrange a Gas Safe engineer to do a gas safety check at least once a year. If you're not to abide by this; than you could be facing serious consequences if a gas problem in the property becomes severe. 

Give notice

Although it is your property, you are not allowed to walk in whenever you like. If you need to fix a repair, than you should give your tenant at least 24 hours notice prior to when you're coming to fix it. 

Insure

Be clever - insure your property. Insuring your property could prevent you from loosing thousands of pounds if any damage was too occur, such as a flood or fire.