What repairs are landlords responsible for?
Current GOV.UK guidance says landlords are responsible for repairs to areas including:
- The structure and exterior of the building.
- Fire safety issues.
- Basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings, including pipes and drains.
- Heating and hot water.
- Gas appliances, pipes, flues and ventilation.
- Electrical wiring.
- Damage caused while attempting repairs.
Peterborough City Council states that rented properties must be safe, free from hazards and kept in a good state of repair, and that major repairs are generally the landlord's responsibility. From 1 May 2026 the Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduced significant changes affecting private renting, so do not rely on outdated pre-May-2026 tenancy wording.
| Issue | Usually landlord? | Usually tenant? | Important notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof / exterior | Usually landlord | — | Structure and exterior are landlord responsibilities |
| Structural repair | Usually landlord | — | Part of the building structure |
| Pipe leak (installed pipework) | Usually landlord | — | Plumbing installation is the landlord's |
| Blocked drain | Depends on cause | Depends on cause | Defective installation vs tenant misuse |
| Toilet (fittings) | Usually landlord | — | Sanitary fittings are landlord responsibilities |
| Bath / sink | Usually landlord | — | Sanitary fittings are landlord responsibilities |
| Boiler / heating | Usually landlord | — | Heating and hot water are landlord responsibilities |
| Radiator | Usually landlord | — | Part of the heating system |
| Electrical wiring | Usually landlord | — | Wiring is a landlord responsibility |
| Socket fault | Usually landlord | — | Part of the electrical installation |
| Door / lock (wear or failure) | Usually landlord | — | Circumstances vary — see below |
| Broken window | Depends on cause | Depends on cause | Wear vs tenant damage |
| Mould / damp | Depends on cause | Depends on cause | Root cause must be investigated |
| Decorating | Depends | Depends | Between tenancies usually landlord; during tenancy depends |
| Appliances | Depends | Depends | If landlord-supplied, usually landlord |
| Garden | Depends | Depends | Tenant upkeep vs structural repair |
| Accidental damage | — | Usually tenant | Damage caused by tenant, family or visitors |
Ambiguous categories are marked "depends on cause" deliberately — responsibility often turns on how the problem arose.
Plumbing repairs: landlord or tenant?
Installed pipework and sanitary fittings are the landlord's responsibility. A leak from a failed joint or a worn valve is generally the landlord's. A blockage caused by tenant misuse — for example inappropriate items flushed or poured away — may be the tenant's responsibility. Tenants should report plumbing leaks promptly to limit damage; an active leak through a ceiling needs fast action (see our ceiling leak guide).
Heating and hot water repairs
The landlord is generally responsible for heating and hot water, including the boiler and radiators. Gas appliances, pipes and flues must be maintained and a gas safety certificate held. Tenants should report heating failures promptly — loss of heating and hot water can be serious depending on the season. Do not attempt gas DIY; gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Electrical repairs
Electrical wiring is a landlord responsibility, and rental properties require an EICR at least every five years (or sooner where the report sets a shorter date). See our EICR codes guide and our unsatisfactory EICR guide for what happens when an EICR fails. Our electrician service covers repairs across Peterborough.
Doors, locks and windows
Wear or failure of doors and locks is generally the landlord's responsibility, and lock changes between tenancies are standard practice. Tenant-caused damage to a door, a lost key, or the need for emergency access can change who is responsible — circumstances vary, so lock responsibility is not universal.
Damp, condensation and mould
Cause matters. Damp from a structural defect, a leak or penetrating damp is generally the landlord's responsibility. Condensation can be influenced by occupant behaviour (drying clothes indoors, not using extraction), but it can also reflect inadequate ventilation or heating that is the landlord's responsibility. Do not automatically blame either party — investigate the root cause. See our damp and mould service and our landlord responsibility guide for more detail.
Who pays when a tenant damages something?
Tenants can be responsible for damage caused by themselves, their family or their visitors. This covers accidental, negligent and deliberate damage. We do not try to adjudicate disputes here — the tenancy agreement, evidence and the specific circumstances determine the outcome.
What counts as normal wear and tear?
Normal wear and tear is the gradual deterioration expected from ordinary use. Examples include minor carpet wear in traffic areas, gradual paint deterioration, and hinge or fixture wear over time. This is different from obvious damage such as a broken door, burns, large stains or torn fittings. Assess each case carefully rather than assuming.
How quickly should landlords carry out repairs?
There is no universal "24-hour law." Timing depends on the severity and risk. Safety-critical issues — active leaks, dangerous electrical faults, loss of essential services such as heating or hot water — require much faster assessment than minor cosmetic maintenance. Act according to the seriousness of the defect, applicable legal duties and any advice from the relevant professional.
What should tenants include when reporting a repair?
- The property address and the room or location affected.
- What happened and when it started.
- Whether the problem is active or ongoing.
- Photos or short video where safe.
- Whether water has been isolated, if relevant.
- Whether electricity may be affected.
- Access availability and any access restrictions.
What should landlords record when dealing with maintenance?
- The date the issue was reported and a description.
- Photos of the problem.
- A risk or urgency assessment.
- The contractor assigned and appointments made.
- Work completed, invoices and certificates.
- Tenant communications throughout.
Landlord emergency repair checklist
Examples that usually need fast assessment include:
- A major leak or water through a ceiling.
- An electrical danger (see our unsatisfactory EICR guide).
- Loss of heating or hot water, depending on circumstances.
- A serious security failure (e.g. a door that cannot be secured).
- A significant structural hazard.
These examples do not all carry the same legal response deadline — act according to the seriousness of the defect.
What we see on Peterborough rental properties
One leak can require several trades: plumbing first to stop the water, then drying, ceiling or plaster repair, and decorating afterwards. This is where multi-trade property maintenance helps — one call coordinates every trade rather than juggling separate contractors. See our landlord maintenance and property maintenance services.
Peterborough landlord maintenance case studies
Genuine local job evidence appears below once real cases have been entered by an admin — area, property type, the reported issue, diagnosis, trades involved, time from instruction to completion and final cost, with before/after images.
Preventative landlord maintenance checklist
Between tenancies
- Inspect taps, toilets and waste connections for leaks.
- Check doors, locks and windows operate correctly.
- Look for visible damp or mould.
- Check silicone and grout in bathrooms.
- Visually check sockets and switches for damage.
- Confirm smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are present and working, in accordance with legal requirements.
- Review decorating condition.
- Clear any items left behind and arrange waste clearance.
For a full room-by-room walkthrough at change of tenancy, see our end-of-tenancy repair checklist.
Periodic property checks
- Check for leaks and signs of damp.
- Test heating operation.
- Check drainage and gutters.
- Inspect for damp and mould.
- Check doors and windows.
- Look for external defects (render, gutters, pointing).
Annual and compliance
Refer to the applicable legal requirements for the intervals that apply to your property and tenancy type — these are not invented here:
- Gas safety (annual gas safety certificate by a Gas Safe registered engineer).
- Electrical inspection and testing (EICR at least every five years, or as your report states).
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with current requirements.
- HMO or additional licensing requirements where applicable.
- EPC where applicable.
See GOV.UK landlord responsibilities and Peterborough City Council private housing for current official guidance.
Official sources and further reading
- GOV.UK — Repairs in rented housing
- GOV.UK — Landlord responsibilities
- Peterborough City Council — Private housing
Reviewed using GOV.UK and Peterborough City Council guidance current on 30 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.