Access
To allow access for repairs – implied term
The tenant has an implied obligation to the landlord to give access for repairs. The tenant is obliged to give access to the property at reasonable times of the day to allow the landlord/landlord’s representative to view the condition of the property following 24 hours’ notice in writing,[1] or to carry out repairs following reasonable notice [2]. Regulated and assured tenants are required to give access to the property and reasonable facilities for repairs to be carried out [3]. While is no statutory obligation on the tenant to respond to the landlord’s notice and grant access in advance, preventing the landlord/landlord’s representative from exercising their right to enter on the date specified in the landlord’s notice could amount to a breach of contract [4].
Under the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Disrepair Cases, the tenant must allow their landlord reasonable access for inspection and repair in accordance with her/his tenancy agreement [5]. Where a landlord is finding it difficult to get access to a property, s/he should communicate this to the tenant in response to any claim from the tenant in relation to a repair being carried out [6]. In one case, the County Court agreed to make an injunction to compel a housing association tenant to provide access to her property (in accordance with her tenancy agreement) to allow repairs to be carried out. The Court stated that the landlord had complied fully with the Pre-action protocol, and that the fact that there was some outstanding disagreement on the full extent of the landlord’s liability for repairs did not mean that those repairs which had been agreed should not be carried out according to the landlord’s schedule [7].
Landlords are not entitled to enter a rented property without their tenants’ permission even if the tenancy agreement states that the landlord can. However, if a tenant refuses to allow access this will be a breach of the implied term requiring a tenant to allow access. If the tenant persists to allow access despite all reasonable attempts to obtain the tenants permission to gain access, the landlord may apply to the court for injunction. An injunction in this instance would order that the tenant allow access to the property. Many injunctions are made with penal notices, this means that if the tenant breaches the injunction they may be held in contempt of court which is a criminal offence.
Express terms of the tenancy
The tenancy agreement, whether written or oral, may contain express terms in relation to repairs, maintenance and the landlord’s right to enter to inspect/carry out repairs. A repairing obligation in the tenancy agreement will only be binding on the tenant if:
- it is not an unfair term, and
- it does not relate to repairs for which the landlord has an implied statutory obligation under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 [8].
[1] s.11(6) Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
[2] Granada Theatres v Freehold Investment (Leytonstone) [1959] 1 WLR 570.
[3] s.148 Rent Act 1977; s.16 Housing Act 1988.
[4] New Crane Wharf Freehold Ltd v Dovener [2019] UKUT 98 (LC).
[5] 7.6 Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Disrepair Cases, Ministry of Justice, 30 January 2017.
[6] 6.3(c) Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Disrepair Cases, Ministry of Justice, 30 January 2017.
[7] Liverpool Mutual Homes v Mensah 2017, County Court at Liverpool, Case No: D70LV094, August 2017.
[8] s.11(4) Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
We’re a landlord’s and
agent’s first call
We lead the way with evictions, helping landlords are agents nationally with a guaranteed eviction service and free advice line. Click to read our eviction service page.