Tenants have several responsibilities to fulfil. Keeping the flat/house clean is a key responsibility. Tenants are also responsible for other aspects of property maintenance including testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and tending to the garden. The tenancy agreement outlines tenant responsibilities and tenants are required to read through all the stipulations carefully before signing on the dotted line.

1. Tenant
Responsibilities

2. What are my Responsibilities as a Tenant?
If you’re looking at flats to rent in London, or
are already a tenant, you might be
wondering what property maintenance
and other responsibilities fall to you.
Everything should be set out in your
tenancy agreement but lettings is changing
all the time and the message doesn’t
always reach the tenant.
What follows is a quick summary of the
responsibilities that fall to tenants.

3. The Court Case that Defined Responsibility
If you’re in a house or flat to rent in London,
you might not be aware of Lord Dennings'
judgement on the Warren versus Keen
case but it is worth knowing.
This was a dispute in the 1950s between a
tenant and a landlord over property
maintenance.
The resulting judgement provides the
framework that letting agents apply today.
Lord Dennings issued the following:

4. The Court Case that Defined Responsibility
"The tenant must take proper care of the
place .
He must clean the windows. He must
mend the electric light when it fuses. He
must unblock the sink when it is blocked by
its waste.
In short he must do the little jobs about the
place which a reasonable tenant would do.
In addition, he must not damage the house,
wilfully or negligently and he must see that
his family and guests do not damage it. If
they do he must repair it”.

5. Seeking Clarification of Responsibilities
Lord Dennings’ judgement is open to
interpretation.
Therefore, tenants should always read their
tenancy agreement in detail so they know
what aspects they are responsible for.
At Sandfords - Central London letting
agents - we:
1. Make it clear what a landlord is legally
responsible for (gas, electrical, water and
structural safety).
2. Provide an indicative list of what
responsibilities fall to a tenant.

6. Using Common Sense
It is worth noting that the services provided
by a letting agent or property manager are
not the same as a concierge at a five star
hotel.
In the past managers have been called by a
tenant to change a light bulb or a vacuum
bag.
These basic maintenance and DIY issues
should be addressed by the tenant.

7. Using Common Sense
Nor are flats to rent in London the same as
hotels - there is no room service or cleaner,
unless documented in the tenancy
agreement.
If in doubt, ask the letting agent or landlord
for a list of tenant responsibilities pertaining
to the particular rental property.

8. Testing Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
The issue of responsibility has recently
resurfaced after the introduction of a new
law that stipulates landlords must install
smoke alarms and carbon monoxide
detectors in all new lets.
The regular testing of such alarms during
the tenancy, however, is the responsibility
of the tenant. It is also the responsibility of
the tenant to change the battery, should it
be dead.

9. Other Tenant Responsibilities
Maintaining the garden, if there is one.
Preventing pipes from blocking or
freezing.
Taking sensible precautions to ensure
there are no floods.
Looking after the property, its fixtures
and furniture - ensuring there is no
malicious or intentional damage by the
tenant or visitors..
Changing light bulbs and fuses.
Disposing of rubbish.
Keeping the property well ventilated to
stop excessive moisture, condensation
and mould.
Replacing anything damaged or
broken by the tenant or their visitors.
Clearing gutters when an obstruction is
causing an issue.
As a guide, it is common for tenants to take responsibility for:

10. Our Offices
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London NW1 8UR
T: +44 (0)20 7722 7997
Property Management
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London NW1 6BU
T: +44 (0)20 7723 9988
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London W1U 5NA
T: +44 (0)20 7099 1133
www.sandfords.com
If you would like advice on renting a property in Central London or need clarification on
tenant responsibilities, contact Sandfords today. Our lettings team would be happy to
help.