If you’re not yet on the property ladder, renting does have its advantages… flexibility while saving, no financial burden of a mortgage, and not having to deal with the hassle of home improvements.
On the other side of the coin, there is the stress of a rent review letter… and with that, you might be asking yourself if your landlord is on top of his maintenance responsibilities.
Especially if you’ve been renting your space for some time, and in need of a few repairs.
Before you resign yourself to paying more, Jonathan Rolande, property expert and commentator on the UK market, says it’s worth asking yourself: What exactly is my landlord doing?
Here’s what every tenant should expect as standard – not as a favour, and certainly not as some kind of generous gift, underlines Rolande.
Basic maintenance that actually happens
“Your landlord should fix things when they break,” says Rolande. “So not in six weeks, not when it’s convenient, but promptly.”
Boilers that pack up in winter, leaking roofs, faulty electrics – these aren’t tenant problems to endure, says Rolande, they’re landlord responsibilities to resolve.
He says too many tenants live with dodgy heating systems or dripping taps because they’re afraid to ‘bother’ their landlord.
“But you’re paying rent for a functioning home, not a DIY project,” highlights Rolande. “If something’s broken, it should be fixed properly by qualified professionals, not bodged with temporary solutions that’ll fail again next month.”
The same goes for annual safety checks…
Gas safety certificates, electrical inspections, and alarm testing aren’t optional extras – they’re legal requirements that protect the lives of tenants and neighbours, outlines Rolande, and any landlord skipping these checks is cutting corners with safety.
“The one thing I would mention though is that tenants should be realistic about repairs, and the lack of decent, prompt tradespeople about these days.
“Landlords can’t perform miracles and teleport a plumber to you in minutes, but they should make a strong effort to resolve problems as soon as they arise, or ideally before they crop up – prevention is better than the cure,” he says.
Proper communication and respect
Your landlord should respond to messages within a reasonable time frame…
“Radio silence for weeks when you’ve reported a problem is unacceptable,” says Rolande. “You deserve updates on repair schedules and honest timelines for when issues will be resolved.”
He says surprise visits are a thing of the past. “Landlords must give 24 hours notice before entering your home, except in genuine emergencies.”
“Your rental property is their house, but your home, and you have the right to peaceful enjoyment without unexpected intrusions. This really shouldn’t need explaining in 2025,” states Rolande.
When rent reviews come around, he says landlords should justify increases with clear explanations – ‘market rates have gone up’ isn’t good enough.
He says to ask: What improvements have been made? What additional services are being provided? What similar properties have been used as a comparison?
But he says there are two sides to the story. “Landlords have faced rocketing increases in things they spend out on too, such as insurances, maintenance fees and repairs.”
Rolande continues. “They probably aren’t putting much rent in their pocket at the end of each month, even if it seems like they are.”
Energy efficiency improvements
With energy bills soaring, landlords should be investing in property improvements that reduce tenant costs…
“Proper insulation, efficient boilers, and draught-proofing aren’t luxuries – they’re necessities that make properties cheaper to live in and more comfortable,” says Rolande.
“Smart meters, thermostatic radiators and energy-efficient appliances should be standard. These improvements benefit everyone – tenants get lower bills and landlords get more attractive properties. Simple.”
Professional property management
Landlords should maintain accurate records of all interactions, repairs and condition of the property…
“Professional landlords document everything, making the rental relationship smoother for everyone involved,” notes Rolande. “This is basic business practice, not advanced property management theory.”
He goes on to say regular property inspections should be scheduled and conducted professionally.
“These aren’t opportunities to criticise the housekeeping, but chances to identify maintenance issues before they become major problems – it should be a property inspection, not a lifestyle judgement.”
Landlords should also understand their legal obligations around things like mould, damp, and pest control, says Rolande. “These issues often stem from property defects, not tenant behaviour, and should be addressed accordingly.”
He continues: “Tenants should also play their part and do what they can to eliminate condensation, the most common (and often easily remedied) property issue.”
At the end of the day…
The rental market works both ways, highlights Rolande. “Landlords want reliable tenants who pay on time and look after properties.
“Tenants want reliable landlords who maintain properties and treat them fairly. It’s not complicated – it’s just business done properly, though it seems all too often, that’s asking for too much.”
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