7 April 2026
UK Landlord Obligations: What Your Landlord Must Provide by Law
A complete guide to UK landlord obligations. What must your landlord fix? What are your rights? What can you do if they fail to meet their duties?
Structural repairs and maintenance
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord is legally required to keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair. This includes the roof, walls, foundations, windows and external doors. If these fail, it is your landlord's responsibility to fix them at no cost to you.
Heating and hot water
Your landlord must ensure the property has adequate heating and hot water at all times. They must repair boilers, radiators and hot water systems within a reasonable time of being notified. In winter, failure to provide heating can be classified as a category 1 hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
Gas and electrical safety
Landlords must have gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and provide you with a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days. They must also carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every 5 years and ensure the property meets electrical safety standards.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Landlords must install at least one smoke alarm on every floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a solid fuel burning appliance. These must be tested at the start of each tenancy. Failure to comply carries a fine of up to GBP5,000.
Protection from damp and mould
Since February 2021, Awaab's Law (now being extended to private rentals) requires landlords to investigate and fix damp and mould within specific timeframes. If your property has damp or mould caused by structural issues, your landlord is responsible โ not you.
What to do if your landlord fails their duties
Start by reporting the issue in writing by email โ this creates a paper trail. If they do not respond within a reasonable time, you can contact your local council's environmental health team who have powers to inspect and enforce repairs. For serious hazards, the council can take emergency action.
Protect yourself before you sign
RentalSafe UK analyses your tenancy agreement with AI โ identifying red flags, verifying your landlord, and giving you negotiation scripts. From ยฃ29.
Get Your Report โ