Tackling Repairs & Maintenance: A Guide for Tenants

Your complete roadmap to understanding your rights and getting repairs done quickly and for free

Ever felt that sinking feeling when the boiler packs up, or a mysterious damp patch appears on your wall? You're not alone. For too long, navigating property repairs in the UK's private rental sector has felt like a battle, leaving millions of tenants frustrated, out of pocket, and living in less-than-ideal conditions.

But what if there was a champion in your corner, ready to tackle those issues head-on, completely free of charge? Welcome to HelloMaintenance.co.uk – your tenant-first platform designed to cut through the repair chaos and ensure your home is safe, healthy, and exactly what you deserve.

Your Home, Your Rights: What Landlords MUST Fix

Let's get one thing straight: your landlord has clear, legally binding duties when it comes to keeping your home in good repair. This isn't a favour; it's the law.

Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

Your landlord is implicitly obligated to maintain the very fabric of your home. This includes:

The Structure and Exterior: Think walls, roofs, foundations, drains, guttering, external pipes, doors, and windows – the bones of your home.
Essential Utilities and Systems: All installations for gas, water, electricity, sanitation (basins, sinks, baths, toilets), space heating, and hot water (boilers, radiators) must be kept in good repair and working order.
Common Areas: If you live in a flat, your landlord is responsible for communal spaces like staircases or entrance ways, even without direct notification from you.

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018

This pivotal legislation ensures your rented home is "safe, healthy, and free from things that could cause serious harm". It covers 29 hazards including:

Damp and mould
Extreme cold or heat
Harmful substances
Gas leaks
Inadequate security
Structural instability

If your home isn't up to scratch, this Act empowers you to take action and even seek compensation.

Important: Landlords cannot legally pass on the cost of repairs that are their statutory responsibility. Any clause in your tenancy agreement attempting to do so is unenforceable – your statutory rights under housing law cannot be diminished.

Your Role: What You're Responsible For (and What You're NOT!)

While the heavy lifting falls to your landlord, you, as the tenant, also have responsibilities:

Tenant Responsibilities

Damage You Cause: You're responsible for repairing any damage caused by yourself, your family members, or guests.
Minor Upkeep: Small jobs like changing light bulbs or replacing batteries in smoke detectors.
Cleanliness & Ventilation: Keep your home clean and ensure adequate ventilation to prevent condensation and mould.
Reporting Issues: You must promptly report any damage or necessary repairs to your landlord.

Landlord Responsibilities

Major structural issues
Essential utility repairs
General wear and tear
Compliance with safety regulations

The Usual Suspects: Common Issues & Why They Matter

66% of UK tenants have faced disrepair during their tenancy

With an average wait time of 41 days for repairs, and 18% never being fixed at all

These aren't just annoyances. Damp and mould, for instance, are directly linked to serious health issues like respiratory problems and infections. Living with unresolved disrepair transforms your home from a sanctuary into a source of stress and potential illness.

Damp: Affecting 37% of renters

Heating Problems: Experienced by 28%

Water Leaks: Impacting 27%

Mould: A problem for 25%

Hello Maintenance: Your Champion in the Repair Battle

We understand the frustration, the delays, and the feeling of being ignored. Our mission is to put the power back in your hands, ensuring your home is safe, comfortable, and compliant.

Immediate Support, Unparalleled Response Times

Forget endless phone calls and unanswered emails. With Hello Maintenance, simply reporting your issue triggers immediate expert support. We work tirelessly to ensure your repairs are addressed with unparalleled response times, cutting through the typical 41-day wait.

How to Report Your Issue (It Couldn't Be Easier!)

We offer multiple, convenient ways to get help, 24/7:

24-Hour Online Expert Chat

UK Call Centre

Social Media Messaging

The Best Part? It's COMPLETELY FREE for You!

Hello Maintenance provides a free service to tenants of any UK rental property, including Airbnb. You never pay a penny. We work directly with every UK letting agency and bill the landlord, saving them time and money while ensuring your repairs are handled with precision and genuine care.

Document, Communicate, Resolve: Your Power Toolkit

While Hello Maintenance streamlines the process, being prepared always helps:

Document Everything: Take clear, dated photographs or videos of any problem areas.
Communicate in Writing: Follow up with a formal written request, whether via email or our online chat.
Know Your Escalation Paths: Local council environmental health departments can issue enforcement notices for health and safety risks.

Your Home Deserves Better. You Deserve Better.

No tenant should have to live in a substandard property or endure endless waits for essential repairs. HelloMaintenance.co.uk is here to change the game, empowering you to live in the safe, well-maintained home you deserve, without the stress or the cost.

Report Your Repair FREE Today