Tenant Repair Obligations

Tenant Repair Obligations

See our article on Reporting a Repair or Other Maintenance Issue for details of ways to report issues with your property.

This information is collated as a guide to your responsibilities as a tenant towards repairs.

1. We cannot carry our repairs unless we are made aware of them. It is your duty to notify us immediately of all repairs [O'Brien -v- Robinson (1973) AC 912]

2. We aim to complete repairs as per our repair schedule, which is available on request. They are often completed much sooner, but depending on the repair, we may need quotations from several contractors

3. You should report repairs initially by email to admin@myhouseagents.co.uk and keep a record of the time and date of each repair notification. If you have an event which is going to harm you or the property and cannot be dealt with by the utility providers (gas, electric, water or local council supplier) then call 01617132688.

4. For training and quality assurance purposes all repair notifications are logged by us together with details of repair works undertaken

5. In the event of;
• A repair has not been undertaken following your telephone notice; or
• It is not been undertaken properly; or
• There is a delay in completing the works; You should confirm the repair issue and its location, together with the history of any earlier notifications of the repair in writing and by recorded delivery addressed to our Maintenance Manager at; Myhouse Agents, First Floor Swan Buildings, 20 Swan Street Manchester M4 5JW. You should retain a copy of the repair notice for future reference. We will call you within 3 working days of receipt of the written notice to confirm the action to be taken.

6. You are responsible for the cost of any repairs caused by the neglect or wilful damage of you or your visitors (O'Brien -v- Robinson)

7. You must provide contractors access at agreed call out times and call out charges incurred where access is denied will be charged to you. (Section 11(6) Landlord & Tenant Act 1985) and also, tenant charges

8. Under the tenancy agreement you are responsible for repair and upkeep (Irvine - v- Moran [1991] 1 EGLR 261) of;
• Internal decorations which includes wall paper, plaster work, repainting etc.
• Upkeep of the garden (eg cutting back hedges, grass, clearing weeds etc)
• Door furniture (eg handles), shelves, cupboards, grouting of tiles, sealing of bath and benches
• Paths, steps and paving on and around the property, except those used as a means of access
• to the property
• Fencing and gates
• Any items that belong to you and you can take from the property

9. You must also occupy the property in a “Tenant Like” manner [Warren -v- Keen (1953) LJ Denning] which includes;
• Unblocking drains
• Cleaning chimney's and windows
• Changing fuses and light bulbs
• Turning off the water/boiler system when the property is unoccupied
• Testing any smoke alarm and changing batteries
• Opening windows and vents to provide adequate ventilation to avoid condensation.

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