Your tenancy agreement sets out the responsibilities of landlords and tenants clearly so everyone knows what they are responsible for.
In short:
Landlord Responsibilities:- Repairs to structure and exterior (roof, walls, gutters, drains, foundations)
- Maintaining water, gas, electricity, and sanitation systems
- Heating and hot water system maintenance
Tenant Responsibilities:The landlord is not responsible for damage caused by negligence or failure to keep the property in a tenant-like manner. Tenants must take care of everyday small tasks.
What Is “Tenant-Like Manner”?
The phrase comes from the
1953 court case Warren v Keen, where Lord Denning explained tenants must do the small jobs a reasonable tenant would do, and avoid damage through negligence.
“…do the little jobs around the place which a reasonable tenant would do… not damage the house wilfully or negligently.”
Simply put, tenants should keep the property safe and tidy by doing small maintenance tasks themselves.
Tenant-Like Manner ChecklistIf you owned the home, would you hire a contractor to fix this? If not, it's probably your responsibility. Here’s a quick checklist:
Inside the Property:
- Change lightbulbs
- Replace smoke detector batteries
- Re-pressurise the boiler (if instructed)
- Bleed radiators
- Unblock sinks and toilets
- Keep the property clean and ventilated
- Manage minor pests (ants, wasps)
Outside the Property:
- Keep grass cut and tidy
- Sweep leaves and garden debris
- Maintain patios and decking (jet wash, clean seasonally)
- Treat and maintain timber decking
- Trim shrubs and trees as needed
- Report and prevent invasive plants like Japanese knotweed, bamboo, buddleia
If you’re unsure, please contact your letting agent or landlord for advice.