The Tenant's Responsibilities

When renting a residential property through an Assured Shorthold Tenancy the landlord is responsible for certain repairs to the property, including the structure and exterior of the property. The landlord is required to keep the equipment for the supply of gas, electricity and water in a safe and good working order.

The tenant must ensure the property is kept clean and carry out any minor maintenance repairs as well as any other responsibilities which may be stated in the tenancy agreement.

Tenants have responsibility for maintaining certain aspects of the property, such as the garden, furniture (which must be fire resistant) and any equipment supplied by the landlord. The tenant must ensure the property:

• Is clean
• Is not damaged by themselves or anyone else
• Is not smoked in by themselves or others
• Is looked after and general maintenance is carried out such as changing fuses, light bulbs and unblocking sinks if required.
• That the heating system is used responsibly, ensuring that no vents are blocked.

If a tenant chooses to renovate or change the existing equipment in the property without the landlord’s permission, such as the central heating, and problems to the structure or interior of the property occur, it would not be the landlord’s responsibility to repair any damage caused.

If a tenant causes any damage to furniture or the interior of the property then the landlord has a right to charge the tenant for any repair work carried out or replacements needed, through deducting damage costs from the deposit.