Private rented property repairs

Your landlord is always responsible for repairs to:

• the property's structure and exterior
• basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings including pipes and drains
• heating and hot water
• gas appliances, pipes, flues and ventilation
• electrical wiring
• any damage they cause by attempting repairs.

Your landlord is usually responsible for repairing common areas, for example staircases in blocks of flats. Check your tenancy agreement if you are unsure.

Your responsibilities

You should only carry out repairs if the tenancy agreement says you can.

You cannot be forced to do repairs that are your landlord's responsibility.

If you damage another tenant's flat, for example if water leaks into another flat from an overflowing bath, you are responsible for paying for the repairs. You are also responsible for paying to put right any damage caused by your family and friends.

Rented property in need of repair

Private rented housing must be maintained by the landlord to a good standard of repair and be free from unnecessary and avoidable hazards. 

Contact your landlord or letting agent if you think repairs are needed. Do this straight away for faults that could damage health, for example faulty electrical wiring.

We suggest repairs are reported in writing or by text, so you have proof.

If you have reported a hazard or health and safety concern about your rented property to the landlord or letting agent but no further action has been taken you can report a health and safety concern about a rented property to us, which we will investigate. 

To report a health and safety concern please email contact@chorley.gov.uk.

Once reported to us, we will carry out an assessment on the whole property. The inspection concentrates on the threats to personal health and safety and not the quality of decoration or workmanship. 

After the inspection, if needed, we will contact the landlord with the required actions to be taken,