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23 October 2026
Becoming a landlord can be a rewarding investment, but renting out a property comes with important legal responsibilities.
One of the most significant is ensuring that the property is safe, properly maintained and fit to live in.
Failing to meet these obligations can result in tenant complaints, local authority enforcement action and potentially costly legal claims.
Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, landlords must ensure that a property is fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy and remains so throughout its duration.
This means that a property must remain safe and free from serious hazards that could affect a tenant’s health or wellbeing.
Some of the common issues include severe damp and mould, structural defects, inadequate ventilation, water supply issues and fire safety risks.
The Local authority will assess these risks using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System to ensure that the home is fit for habitation.
Therefore, landlords must ensure that the home is fit for habitation before the tenant moves in and they should carry out regular inspections to ensure that they are identifying issues before they become more serious.
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords have a legal responsibility to take care of certain parts of the property.
Landlords must provide repairs to the structure of the building, including the roof and windows, as well as keeping installations for gas, water, electricity, heating and hot water in working order.
Once landlords have been notified of the defect, they must address repair obligations immediately. If repairs are delayed, it can worsen the problem and increase the risk of disputes.
In addition to repair obligations, landlords must ensure that gas and electrical installations are safe and properly maintained.
Landlords must also provide working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms for the property, as required.
These are imperative to ensure that a tenant is living in a safe space and can therefore reduce the risk of serious accidents within the property.
Property condition is one of the most important responsibilities a landlord will face. By maintaining the property, addressing repairs promptly and ensuring compliance with safety requirements, landlords can reduce the risk of disputes and provide tenants with a safe and comfortable home.
Our team are here to advise landlords on their obligations surrounding property condition and if the need arises, we can support you through a dispute.
Get in touch for support with landlords’ obligations surrounding property condition.
