Section 11
Section 11 refers to Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which sets out a landlord’s core repairing obligations for most residential tenancies in England and Wales. It applies automatically to most assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies, regardless of what the written agreement says.
From a landlord’s perspective, Section 11 requires you to:
Keep the structure and exterior in repair. For example roofs, walls, windows, gutters.
Keep installations for the supply of water, gas, electricity, sanitation, space heating and hot water in repair and proper working order. For example boilers, radiators, wiring, sinks, baths and toilets.
You are obliged to act within a reasonable time for repairs after being told of a problem or when you should reasonably have known about it, and you must carry out repairs at your own cost, not by adding extra fees to the rent.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, Section 11 duties sit alongside the “fit for human habitation” rules, Awaab’s Law time limits for serious hazards and strengthened rental standards. Together they mean landlords are expected to respond promptly, tackle root causes and not just cosmetic fixes. They must also keep good records of inspections, reports and repairs.
