If you’re a landlord, you should carry out regular inspections. This helps you check that there’s no damage and the tenant is keeping the property clean and tidy. You should also carry out repairs promptly. It helps to have a good network of service people if you can’t do the work yourself.
Inspections
A landlord can’t give notice to end a tenancy because the tenant has asked for repair or maintenance work to be done. This is called a retaliatory notice.
Retaliatory notice
Rubbish removal
Tenants are responsible for keeping the property reasonably clean and tidy. This includes the removal of their rubbish from the property.
Where the local council has supplied rubbish or recycling bins for the property, the landlord should pass these services on to the tenants. If the cost for the bins/service is part of the rates and not on a per usage basis, it is the landlord’s cost. The landlord is not required to provide more or better rubbish facilities for the tenant, but they can choose to.
If the local council does not provide bins or bags for rubbish/recycling, the tenant will need to buy their own.
If the bins go missing through no fault of the tenant, the landlord needs to arrange a replacement through the local council.
Landlord responsibilities for indoor maintenance
Chimneys
Cleaning the chimney is usually the landlord’s responsibility. The tenant is responsible for cleaning the ashes from the hearth. The landlord may wish to have the chimney swept and checked at least annually to make sure it’s safe. Some insurance policies won’t cover the property unless this is done.
Ducted heating and ventilation systems
Landlords are responsible for servicing any ducted heating and ventilation systems. Tenants should regularly ventilate the home by opening doors and windows to let fresh air in (even in winter). This helps maintain healthy air inside the house and reduces the amount of moisture, making
