If you find that the property you’re renting is in a state of disrepair, you should contact the landlord or let an agent fix the issues. If the landlord is unable to perform the necessary repairs, the local council’s environmental health department will help you out.
When it comes to minor repairing, however, you should be able to fix them yourself. When there are any significant and architectural repairs required, only then it’s the landlord’s responsibility.
Keep on reading to learn more about a landlord’s responsibilities and how you can complain about them if ever needed:
The Landlord’s Responsibility:
Gas Appliance and Installation Safety
Landlords are responsible for the safety of gas installations and must arrange for (and pay) registered workers under the Gas Safe Register to inspect gas installations at least once a year.
Electrical Appliance Maintenance
Landlords must ensure that any electrical appliances they supply are in working condition and safe for use. Appliances include but aren’t limited to heaters, kettles, cookers, electric stove, and other alike. If an electrical appliance breaks down, the landlord should be responsive to your request and repair the issues as soon as possible.
How to Complain About Your Landlord:
It is not right for a landlord to act in a way that will make a tenant want to move out. In this context, it includes disregarding repair notices. In any case that your landlord ignores you about these issues, here’s what you should do:
1. Contact a Tenancy Relations Officer
If you feel harassed by your landlord for not responding to your requests, report your case immediately to your local Tenancy Relations Officer. If you feel that your harassment is severe, you can even make a police report.
2. Complain to the Landlord’s Trade Body
There are two trade bodies you should take note of—Residential Landlords Association, and the National Landlords Association. Landlords who are members of either trade bodies have a code of conduct they must follow. If your landlord is part of an organization, you should be confident that your rental is well managed due to the code of conduct. If this isn’t the case, you can report them directly to the trade body. To make your complaint, check the code of conduct and write down which code your landlord has violated.
3. Take a Look at the Accreditation Schemes
Councils and Landlord Associations set minimum requirements for your landlord to follow with the use of accreditation schemes. Ask your landlord for their scheme certificate. If you believe that they aren’t following the scheme, you can send your complaint to the scheme administrator.
Landlords are obliged to implement reasonable precautions to keep their property in good condition, keeping tenants safe from harm’s way. If you find that your rental is in a state of disrepair, make sure that you inform your landlord right away.
To that end, if your landlord will not oblige to help cover any repairs that they clearly should, you can always seek legal action in court. If you’re looking to learn more about how you can claim compensation, Consumer Reclaimers is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you.