Repairing your home: Private tenants

Responsibilities for repairs should be agreed by the landlord and tenant and set out in the tenancy agreement and the Statement of Tenancy Terms.

Landlord and tenant obligations

The landlord is always responsible for gas and electrical appliances and furniture safety.

If the statement is not clear on responsibility for repairs the law will impose the following:

the structure and exterior of the property, including exterior paintwork, drains, gutters and external pipes
the interior of the property other than matters covered under tenant responsibilities (see below)
any installations for the supply and use of water, gas, electricity and sanitation (including baths, sinks, wash-hand basins and toilets)
any appliances provided by the landlord under the tenancy for making use of the supply of water, gas and electricity
any installations for space heating and water heating
any fixtures, fittings and furnishings provided by the landlord under the terms of the tenancy
keeping in good repair any common areas or areas required for access
keeping any area required for access adequately lit and safe to use

generally taking proper care of the property as a good tenant
making good any damage to the property caused by the behaviour or negligence of the tenant, members of his/her household or any other person lawfully visiting or living in the property
keeping the interior of the property in reasonable decorative order
not carrying out alterations to the property without the landlord’s permission

Responsibility for other repairs depends on what the landlord and tenant agree themselves.

If there is a dispute over repairing responsibilities you should use the links below to get advice from one of the bodies listed:

Further information is available by clicking on the following links to the NIHE and DSD websites: