Property Maintenance guides for UK landlords
Repairs, disrepair standards, damp and mould, and maintenance planning.
Building a planned maintenance schedule
Reactive maintenance costs more than planned maintenance and produces the tenant complaints that lead to enforcement. A simple annual cycle per property removes most emergency spending.
4 min read
Choosing and managing contractors
Your legal responsibility for safety work does not transfer to the tradesperson. Verifying credentials and keeping the paperwork is part of the compliance duty, not an administrative extra.
4 min read
Landlord repairing obligations: what you must fix
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 makes the landlord responsible for the structure and exterior, and for the installations supplying water, gas, electricity, sanitation and heating. It cannot be contracted out of.
4 min read
Ventilation and condensation in rented homes
Most reported mould in rented homes is condensation-related, and the legal position has moved decisively away from blaming tenant behaviour. Adequate ventilation is a landlord responsibility.
4 min read
Damp and mould: landlord responsibilities explained
Damp and mould can arise from disrepair, poor ventilation or lifestyle factors, but landlords must investigate every report and cannot simply blame the tenant.
6 min read
Boiler and heating system maintenance schedule for landlords
Servicing a boiler alongside the annual gas safety check reduces breakdowns, extends appliance life and supports warranty claims.
5 min read
Garden and external area responsibilities in a tenancy
Responsibility for gardens is usually set out in the tenancy agreement, but landlords remain responsible for the structure and safety of external areas.
4 min read
Dealing with pests in rented property: who pays?
Responsibility for pest control depends on the cause: structural entry points are usually the landlord's responsibility, while poor housekeeping can shift the cost to the tenant.
4 min read
Asbestos awareness for older rented properties
Properties built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos in materials such as textured coatings, floor tiles or old boiler insulation.
5 min read