Landlord Property Maintenance Checklist (Legal Requirements)

Being a landlord means legal obligations. Here's what you MUST do by law, plus what makes sense for keeping good tenants.

Legal Requirements (Non-Negotiable)

Gas Safety

The law:

• Annual Gas Safety Certificate required
• Must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer
• Must give tenant a copy within 28 days of check (or before they move in)

What it covers:

• All gas appliances
• Pipework
• Flues

Penalty: Up to £6,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment. Seriously.

Electrical Safety

The law (since 2020):

• EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) every 5 years
• Must be done by a qualified electrician
• Any "unsatisfactory" issues must be fixed within 28 days
• Must give copy to tenant

What it covers:

• Fixed wiring
• Consumer unit
• Sockets and switches
• Fixed electrical equipment

Fire Safety

Requirements:

• Smoke alarms on every floor
• Carbon monoxide alarm where solid fuel is used (and now recommended for gas too)
• Alarms must be working at the start of each tenancy
• Fire safety in HMOs has additional requirements

Energy Performance

EPC requirements:

• Valid EPC required to let a property
• Must meet minimum E rating (since 2020)
• Proposals for C rating by 2028 for new tenancies

Structure and Exterior

You must maintain:

• Roof
• Walls
• Windows
• Doors
• Drains, gutters, pipes
• External decoration

Installations

You must keep in working order:

• Heating systems
• Hot water
• Sanitaryware (basins, toilets, baths)
• Kitchen sinks

Safe from Hazards

HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System): Your property must be free from serious hazards including:

• Damp and mould
• Excess cold
• Electrical hazards
• Fire risk
• Falls risks

---

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

Monthly (Tenant Should Report)

Tenants should tell you about:

• Water leaks
• Broken heating
• Faulty electrics
• Security issues

Tip: Make it easy for tenants to report problems. Small issues become expensive ones.

Every 6 Months

• Check smoke and CO alarms work
• Check for damp signs
• Clear gutters (autumn especially)
• Check external drains

Annually

Essential:

• Gas Safety Certificate
• Boiler service
• Gutter clean
• Check for exterior damage

Recommended:

• Inspect interior condition
• Check seals (bathroom, kitchen)
• Test taps and toilets
• Check window locks

Every 5 Years

• EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
• Consider redecoration
• Full property condition review

Every 10 Years

• EPC renewal
• Major maintenance review (roof, windows)
• Consider upgrades (efficiency improvements)

---

Common Issues to Stay Ahead Of

Damp and Mould

Your responsibility if caused by:

• Building defect
• Failed damp proofing
• Inadequate ventilation (design flaw)

Tenant's responsibility if caused by:

• Not ventilating adequately
• Not heating adequately
• Drying clothes without ventilation

Reality: It's often a mix. Work with tenants rather than blame them.

Heating Failures

Winter boiler breakdowns are the worst. Consider:

• Annual boiler service (catches problems)
• Emergency repair fund
• Reliable heating engineer on call

Plumbing Issues

Common maintenance:

• Replace toilet flush components every few years
• Check for slow leaks under sinks
• Prevent frozen pipes (insulation, heating)

---

Tenant Changeover Checklist

Between tenants:

Essential:

• Professional clean
• Check all appliances work
• Test heating and hot water
• Inspect for damage
• Check smoke/CO alarms
• Check all keys work
• Read meters
• Update EPC if due

Recommended:

• Touch-up paintwork
• Replace worn items (toilet seats, mastic)
• Clean gutters
• Check exterior
• Garden maintenance

---

What's the Tenant's Responsibility?

Tenants are generally responsible for:

• Day-to-day cleaning
• Replacing light bulbs
• Keeping property ventilated
• Not damaging the property
• Minor tasks like unblocking sinks (if they caused it)
• Garden maintenance (usually)
• Reporting problems promptly

Make this clear in the tenancy agreement.

---

Documentation

Keep records of:

• All certificates (Gas Safety, EICR, EPC)
• Maintenance work done (with dates)
• Tenant reports of issues
• How and when you responded
• Contractor invoices

Why: If there's ever a dispute or legal issue, records protect you.

---

Emergency Response

Have ready:

• Emergency plumber contact
• Gas engineer contact
• Electrician contact
• Locksmith contact
• Your (or agent's) out-of-hours number

Emergencies are:

• Gas leak
• Flooding
• No heating (in winter)
• No hot water
• Security breach (broken door/window)

You're expected to respond quickly to genuine emergencies.

---

Working With a Handyman

Many landlord jobs suit a handyman:

• Between-tenant repairs
• Minor maintenance
• Property checks
• Small improvement jobs

I work with several landlords in Exeter - doing regular maintenance visits, changeover checks, and responsive repairs. One relationship with someone who knows your properties is easier than finding new contractors every time.

---

Need a reliable handyman for your rentals? I work with landlords across Exeter. Regular maintenance visits or one-off jobs. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.