Understanding Your Repairing Obligations as a Landlord or Tenant

05 December 2025

For landlords and tenants, knowing your repairing obligations is essential to avoid disputes and unexpected costs. Whether you’re managing a single property or a larger portfolio, understanding what work is required, when, and to what standard can save time, money, and stress.

Why it matters

Leases typically set out repairing obligations, but the reality is often more complex. Over the course of a tenancy, wear and tear, age, and use can all affect a property.

Without regular checks or proper management, minor issues can escalate into significant problems, which can be costly to fix and trigger disputes at lease end. Repairing obligations as a landlord in the UK are changing as the new Renters Reform Act comes into force on 1st May 2026.

The cost of uncertainty

It can be easy to miss crucial details in a contract over tens of pages. Not knowing your responsibilities can be expensive. A tenant unaware of required repairs might leave defects unaddressed, leaving the landlord to claim damages at lease end.

Conversely, a landlord unsure of or making assumptions about a tenant’s obligations may overstate claims, creating unnecessary tension or legal paperwork. A surveyor’s guidance will quantify what is genuinely required, helping both parties plan and budget effectively.

Planning and preventative management

Integrating repairing obligations into a structured inspection and maintenance programme (like a Planned Preventative Maintenance schedule) provides long-term value, especially for those with multiple sites to oversee. Regular inspections, combined with expert defect diagnosis, allow you to identify and address issues early, avoiding major repairs, preserving the building’s condition, and ensuring lease obligations are met.

How We Can Help

At TCL Chartered Surveyors, we advise both landlords and tenants on their repairing responsibilities. Our services, from Schedules of Condition to defect diagnosis and PPM, give clients clarity on their obligations, realistic cost projections, and strategies to manage risks. This ensures repairs are handled proactively, disputes are minimised, and the property retains its value.

Investing in expert advice on repairing obligations may seem like a small cost upfront, but it can prevent substantial financial and legal headaches in the future. Get in touch with our expert team today.