Landlords ' Obligations The Law & The Act
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 sets out a framework that all landlords and tenants must adhere to when entering into any tenancy agreement . These rules have been developed to provide clear guidelines and boundaries for all those involved in the process .
Obligations & responsibilities of a landlord
A landlord is obliged to :
• Provide the premises in a reasonably clean and tidy state
• Keep the premises in a reasonable state of repair
• Comply with all building and health and safety requirements relating to the property
• Not interfere with the supply of gas , power , water , telephone , or other services to the premises unless it is necessary for maintenance or repair , or to prevent danger
• Ensure that all locks are working and the property is reasonably secure
• Make sure that smoke alarms are in good working order , meet all requirements and have batteries at the beginning of each new tenancy ( where applicable ).
During the tenancy a landlord must :
• Not ask for more than 4 weeks ’ rent as a bond or for more than 2 weeks ’ rent to be paid in advance
• Make sure none of the other tenants in neighbouring properties owned by the same landlord disturb one other
• Compensate the tenant for serious and urgent repairs that the tenant has had done , if the damage was not the tenant ’ s fault and the tenant made a reasonable attempt to contact the landlord about the repairs
• Give the tenant at least 24 hours ’ notice and visit between 8am and 7pm if any repairs or maintenance are needed
• Ask for the tenant ’ s permission and visit at a reasonable hour if wanting to show a prospective buyer , tenant or registered valuer through the premises
• Not use force , or threat of force , to enter or attempt to enter the premises while the tenant or anyone else is on the premises – it is an offence to do so
• Give at least 48 hours ’ notice of any routine inspection of the property .
44