Your landlord's duties
Your landlord has a responsibility to make sure the property or accommodation you are renting is maintained to a certain standard.
Repairs
Unless the tenancy has a fixed term of more than seven years, the landlord is responsible for repairs to:
- The structure and exterior of the property
- Baths, sinks, basins and other sanitary installations
- Heating and hot water installations
Responsibility for other repairs depend on what agreement (if any) you have arranged with your landlord. The landlord is not responsible for repairing damage a tenant has caused. The rent the landlord charges can include a sum to cover the cost of repairs - but the landlord cannot pass this cost on to the tenant in the form of a separate service charge.
Safety of gas and electrical appliances
Landlords are required by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to ensure that all gas appliances are maintained in good order and that an annual safety check is carried out by a gas engineer who is registered with the Gas Safe.
The landlord must keep a record of the safety checks and issue it to the tenant within 28 days of each annual check. The landlord is not responsible for maintaining any gas appliances the tenant is entitled to take with them at the end of the letting.
Fire safety of furniture and furnishings
Landlords must ensure that any furniture and furnishings they supply meet the fire resistance requirements in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 - unless they are letting to you on a temporary basis whilst, for example, working away from home.
The regulations set levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture. All new and second hand furniture provided in accommodation that is let for the first time, or replacement furniture in existing let accommodation, must meet the fire resistance requirements unless it was made before 1950.
Most furniture will have a manufacturer's label on it saying if it meets the requirements.
Access
The landlord, or his or her agent, has a legal right to enter the property at reasonable times of the day to carry out the repairs for which they are responsible and to inspect the condition and state of repair of the property.
The landlord, or their agent, must give a tenant 24 hours' notice in writing of an inspection. Terms for access and procedures for getting repairs done are often included in the tenancy agreement to avoid any confusion at a later date.
Housing Repairs
The Council can help tenants who rent from a private landlord by requesting the owner to carry out appropriate repairs and improvements. Repairs include leaking roofs, dangerous wiring, dampness and improvements to kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Tenancy Relations
Tenants involved in a dispute with their landlord can seek help and advice from the Housing Options Team. Enquiries from tenants and landlords of privately rented homes can be dealt with.
Landlords should also ensure that the electrical system and any electrical appliances that they supply (such as cookers, kettles, toasters, washing machines and immersion heaters) which he supplies are safe to use.
- Landlord responsibilities
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Repairs
Unless the tenancy has a fixed term of more than seven years, you are responsible under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 for repairs to
- The structure and exterior of the property
- Baths, sinks, basins and other sanitary installations
- Heating and hot water installations
- If you are renting out a flat or maisonette, other parts of the building or installations in it which you own or control and whose disrepair would affect your tenant.
Responsibility for other repairs depends on what you agree with the tenant. You are not responsible for repairing damage caused by him or her. The rent you can charge can include a sum to cover the cost of repairs but you cannot pass the costs on to the tenant in the form of a separate service charge.
Safety of gas and electrical appliances
You are required by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to ensure that all gas appliances are maintained in good order and that an annual safety check is carried out by a gas engineer who is registered with the Gas Safe.
You must keep a record of the safety checks and issue it to the tenant within 28 days of each annual check. You are not responsible for maintaining any gas appliances the tenant is entitled to take with him or her at the end of the letting.
You should ensure that the electrical system and any electrical appliances that you supply such as cookers, kettles, toasters, washing machines and immersion heaters are safe to use.Fire safety of furniture and furnishings
You must ensure that any furniture and furnishings you supply meet the fire resistance requirements in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, unless you are letting on a temporary basis whilst, for example, working away from home.
The Regulations apply if the let is for a longer period or for a series of lets, where the property is regarded primarily as a source of income rather than your home. If you are not sure whether the regulations apply to you, seek advice from the Trading Standards Department of your local authority. The regulations set levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture. All new and second hand furniture provided in accommodation that is let for the first time, or replacement furniture in existing let accommodation, must meet the fire resistance requirements unless it was made before 1950. Most furniture will have a manufacturer's label on it saying if it meets the requirements.
Access
You, or your agent, have the legal right to enter the property at reasonable times of the day to carry out the repairs for which you are responsible and to inspect the condition and state of repair of the property. You must give the tenant 24 hours' notice in writing of an inspection. It is also helpful to set out the arrangements for access and procedures for getting repairs done in the tenancy agreement.
- Housing Options Home Finder Service
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Home Finder Service
The Home Finder Scheme provides people with the opportunity to move into a home of their choice and to avoid homelessness AND a stay in temporary accommodation.
By providing choice and to avoid homelessness AND a stay in temporary accommodation.
By providing the advice, support and financial assistance (through the Churches Housing Coalition), the Council has increased the housing options available to people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
Managed by the Council’s Housing Options Team, the home finder scheme is very flexible. It can be used, for example, to prevent private tenants from becoming homeless by helping them to find alternative accommodation when their existing tenancy is coming to an end.
The scheme also offers great benefits to landlords or letting agents. Cannock Council can refer you to the Churches Housing Coalition to asssist with the **loss and damages guarantee and **rent in advance to a landlord or letting agent in order to obtain accommodation for a client in the private rented sector.
**If the landlord is willing to work with the terms and conditions of the scheme
Before a property can be let under the home finder scheme, the Council will carry out a series of checks to ensure that it is affordable, safe and fit for habitation.
An officer from the Housing Options Team will inspect the property to check that is in a reasonable condition. If there is a gas supply, they will request a valid Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
Under the home finder scheme, letting agreements will normally be assured shorthold tenancies of at least 6 months.
This service is only available to residents of Cannock Chase District. If you live outside of the district we can advise of Lettings Agents who can offer properties with the Cannock Chase District.