Becoming a landlord in the UK requires you to adhere to the Landlord and Tenant act of 1995. Within this act you will find the clause that states that as a landlord you must keep installations of water, gas, electricity, and sanitation in repair. Sanitation includes baths, showers, basins, and toilets. It does not include appliances that use the supply of water delivered to the home. As a landlord you may often wonder about the question “Can a landlord charge for plumbing repairs?” Below we will go on to explain with some property maintenance advice for landlords.
Can a Landlord Charge for Plumbing Repairs : Your Rights as a Landlord
As a landlord, employing a maintenance team for your rental properties will save you time and energy. A professional property maintenance team supplied to you by BBN will know the legalities surrounding repairs, and what to do when tenants ask for repairs to be made. There are some repairs that should be carried out by the tenant, others that are your responsibility. If your tenants have caused damage through their own negligence to a bathroom or kitchen, then you should not pay. If however the water pipes are old and corroded, and need replacing, this is up to you.
Property Maintenance Advice : What you Must Provide as a Landlord
As a landlord, you need to adhere to the Landlord and Tenants agreement. This means you must provide sanitation and running water, both hot and cold. There must be a working toilet and shower or bath within the property you rent. You must also provide at least one additional sink, normally in the kitchen, which is provided for the washing of dishes.
When repairs to the plumbing system are due to the neglect of the tenant, they should make repairs. If they block a sink or a toilet by constantly flushing nappies, then they should carry out the repairs. If the drains become blocked due to a neighbouring property, any repairs are your responsibility, although the insurance of the adjoining property should pay for them. Your tenants should carry out daily maintenance and use the sanitary facilities supplied correctly. This means that small tasks like changing a washer on a dripping tap should be the responsibility of the tenant.
The shower you supply should be in working order. If it gets clogged up with limescale, then the tenant should fix this, and this should not be brought to your attention. If the electric shower breaks through no fault of the tenants, then this is a repair that you will pay for. Leaking pipes and more severe problems however will be dealt with by you as the landlord. Leaking pipes can cause damage and damp when not attended to, and it is your duty to carry out the necessary repairs in a timely manner.
Being a landlord should be a profitable experience for you. By employing a property maintenance team that deals with repairs, all you need to do is sit back and collect rent. A property management team can deal with all issues, from plumbing repairs to collection of late rents, and even the eviction of troublesome tenants. Contact us today for more property maintenance advice and to find a suitable management team for your property portfolio.