ÓûÂþɬ

Dealing with disrepair in rented housing

Reporting and Responding to Repair Requests

Landlords are legally required to ensure their property meets the repairing standard throughout the tenancy. 

  • For non-emergency works, access arrangements to inspect and carry out work should be agreed in advance with tenants.
  • Tenants should keep a note of telephone conversations, reporting repairs or copies of letters/ e-mails and follow the advice of the .
  • In flats, common works may require the co-operation of other owners in the block. This can add to the difficulty of getting works done. Landlords should participate in owners’ associations as this is the easiest way to negotiate and implement repairs or required works. 

House Condition Standards for Private Rented Homes

The legal standards that private houses should meet, are detailed here: )

How to Deal with Condition Complaints

If landlords and tenants can’t agree on issues relating to repair or house condition,  exists to adjudicate as an independent arbiter.

The Scottish Government established the Housing and Property Chamber - First-tier Tribunal for Scotland to help landlords and tenants resolve their differences and provide tenants with a way to legally enforce landlords to do necessary repairs.

Dealing with disrepair in rented housing

Disrepair is often the cause of a breakdown in the landlord/tenant relationship. It can lead to disputes on who did what, who is responsible for what and what should be done about it. Disputes benefit nobody.

  • Disputes cost landlords time and money to resolve.
  • Disputes cost tenants stress and loss of quality of life
  • Disputes cost the public authority time and money to intervene.

There are simple and straightforward administrative procedures, which if followed will help resolve matters before disputes arise.

Reporting and Responding to Repair Requests

Landlords are legally required to ensure their property meets the repairing standard throughout the tenancy. The repairing standard is detailed here: )

  • Tenants should notify their landlords of defects and give a reasonable time for a response and for works to be carried out, following the advice of the 
  • Landlords should acknowledge complaints quickly and respond to works required as soon as is practicable.
  • For non-emergency works, access arrangements to inspect and carry out work should be agreed in advance with tenants.
  • Tenants should keep a note of telephone conversations, reporting repairs or copies of letter/ e-mails and follow the advice of the Housing and Property Chamber - First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.
  • In flats, common works may require the co-operation of other owners in the block. This can add to the difficulty of getting works done. Landlords should participate in owners’ associations as this is the easiest way to negotiate and implement repairs or required works. 

 

House Condition Standards for Private Rented Homes

The legal standards for private houses to meet are detailed here: )

A landlord has a duty to repair and maintain a property to meet the repairing standard.

If your home does not meet the repairing standard, follow the procedures of the .

Furnishings and Furniture Safety

All furnishings and furniture supplied as part of the let must comply with relevant parts of the .

can carry out free home fire safety visits for any household in the ÓûÂþɬ area.

How to Deal with Condition Complaints

If landlords and tenants can’t agree on issues relating to repair or house condition  exists to adjudicate as an independent arbiter.

The Scottish Government established the Housing and Property Chamber - First-tier Tribunal for Scotland to help landlords and tenants resolve their differences, and to provide tenants with a way to ensure landlords carry out necessary repairs.

There is a wealth of information for both tenants and landlords on the .

Our Advice

If a tenant suspects their house fails the repairing standard they should, in the first instance;

  • Assess the house using the )
  • Contact their landlord and ask for the house to be brought up to standard, keeping a record of the correspondence. Give reasonable time for work to start and finish
  • If there’s no action, report the matter to the 
  • Failure to deal with disrepair may affect your landlord's registration as a Private Landlord, for further information contact the .

 

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