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Can a landlord make a tenant pay for repairs?
By the VoxaMTD team. Last verified 31 October 2026
Not for repairs that are the landlord's responsibility. GOV.UK says tenants cannot be forced to do repairs that belong to the landlord, such as the structure and exterior, heating and hot water, gas appliances and flues, and electrical wiring. Tenants do pay for damage they or their guests cause.
The landlord's list also includes fire safety, sanitary fittings and drains, and any damage caused by the landlord's own repair attempts. Tenants should only carry out repairs if the tenancy agreement allows it. Tenants are expected to report problems, including mould, as soon as they notice them and to keep paying rent while they wait.
If repairs are not done, a tenant can contact the council's environmental health department, which must act where the problem could harm health or cause a nuisance, or ask the council to carry out an assessment under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. GOV.UK also mentions a small claims court claim for repairs under £5,000. Keep dated records of every report and your response.