As a Contract Holder, you have the legal right to have your home maintained in a reasonable state of repair and your Landlord has a legal responsibility to properly maintain it. This is not limited to the structural parts of the building, but also includes drains, sinks, toilets and heating/gas appliances.
Under the new Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, Landlords are contractually obliged to ensure that the property is, and remains, fit for human habitation. The Welsh Government have listed 29 separate matters relating to fitness for human habitation as well as certain requirements which must be undertaken by the Landlord in relation to the property, including the installation of properly working smoke alarms which are connected to the electrical supply and interlinked with all other smoke alarms, the installation of a carbon monoxide alarm in any room which has a gas, oil or solid fuel burning appliance installed and “Period Inspection and Testing” (PIT) in accordance with the UK Standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations). This inspection and testing must be carried out by a qualified person who, once completed, will issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Where a Contract has converted from an existing Tenancy on 1 December 2022, the Landlord is allowed until 30 November 2023 within which to comply with the requirements in relation to the installation of the smoke alarms and obtaining the Electrical Installation Condition Report.
If a Landlord has not complied with the matters deals with above in relation to fitness for human habitation, then any Notice served by them under Section 173, will not be valid.
Alternatively, we can of course take Court action against the Landlord for continuing to fail to adequately repair.
If you would like to arrange an appointment to discuss your potential needs, please telephone our offices on 029 2047 5100 and ask for Janine Griffiths. Alternatively, please complete the enquiry form to the right and one of our team will contact you.