If your lease has an initial repair period

During the initial repair period, the landlord is responsible for the cost of:

• essential repairs to the outside of the building
• essential structural repairs to walls, floors, ceilings and stairs inside your home

They’re not allowed to use the reserve fund or service charge to pay these costs.

The initial repair period usually lasts for 10 years after the home is first built. Check with your landlord how long is left on your home’s initial repair period. After the period ends, all repairs are your responsibility.

During the initial repair period you can claim up to £500 a year from the landlord to cover repairing, replacing (if faulty) and maintaining fixtures and fittings inside your home that:

• supply water, gas or electricity – for example sinks, baths or pipes
• heat your home – for example, a boiler or radiator

Included repairs

Water pipes bringing water into your home and:

• bathtub  
• sinks
• taps
• boiler

Electrical supply including:

• electrical wiring from the meter to the fuse box
• sockets, including wiring and switches
• wiring to heating or hot water appliances
• light fittings (up to and including the bayonet or screw fitting)

Excluded repairs

Pipe work that’s the responsibility of the water authority.

Installing appliances that use your gas, water or electricity such as a:

• washing machine
• hob
• oven

Wear and tear.

Routine maintenance.

You must tell the landlord that the repairs are needed.

The landlord will decide if they are essential. They have the right to inspect the home when making a decision.

You’ll need to arrange the repairs yourself and claim a repairs allowance from your landlord to cover the cost. You can claim up to a certain amount a year (usually £500). You’ll need to pay for costs above this amount yourself.

You must use a Trustmark-approved tradesperson approved by your landlord. You can find a local tradesperson on the Trustmark website.

If you do not claim the full repairs allowance in one year, a maximum of one year’s allowance will roll over to the following year.

If the landlord rejects your claim for the cost of essential repairs, they must:

• tell you why in writing within 7 days of receiving the information that supports your claim
• tell you that you have the right to challenge the decision
• explain how you can challenge it

If you sell your home, the repairs allowance will usually transfer to the new owner. If the new owner buys a 100% share, they do not get the repairs allowance.

If you break the terms of your lease, your landlord will not need to pay for repairs they’re usually responsible for. For example, if you:

• cause damage on purpose
• do not arrange routine servicing and maintenance, such as regular boiler servicing

Repairs may be covered by the building warranty or another guarantee. Check the warranty or guarantee documents to find out how to claim the repairs.