Repairs and standards
Give 24 hours' written notice to enter to inspect repairs
Where the landlord repairing covenant applies, you may enter to view the condition and state of repair only at reasonable times and after giving the occupier 24 hours' written notice.
- Status
- In force
- Penalty
- See below
Who it applies to
Tenancies to which Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 s.11 applies (leases under 7 years, including periodic assured tenancies).
What you must do
Before entering to inspect the condition and state of repair, give the occupier at least 24 hours' notice in writing and attend at a reasonable time of day (you or a person you authorise in writing).
- Deadline
At least 24 hours before the visit.
Evidence to keep
- Copies of written access notices with dates and times
If you do not comply
- Other consequences
- Entry without notice or consent can amount to trespass and, if likely to interfere with the occupier's peace or comfort, to the harassment offence (see unlawful-eviction-and-harassment).
The law
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, s.11(6)legislation.gov.uk
Official guidance
Notes
Quiet enjoyment is a common-law implied covenant rather than a statutory duty and is not modelled as a separate rule; its statutory backstop is the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 s.1 harassment offence.
Other repairs and standards rules
7 rulesCouncils assess homes under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and must take enforcement action if they find a category 1 (high risk) hazard, so landlords need to keep homes free of them.
If the council serves an improvement notice, you must start and finish the specified works by the dates in the notice; failing to do so is a criminal offence.
- Civil penalty up to £7,000 for a category 1 hazard (in force 22 June 2026)In force since 22 June 2026Fine up to £7,000
Since 22 June 2026 councils can fine the responsible landlord up to £7,000 when they first take enforcement action on a category 1 hazard in a privately rented home, if it would have been reasonably practicable to remove it.
- Awaab's Law (fixed timescales for hazards) for private tenanciesProposed, not yet law
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 contains the power to extend Awaab's Law (legal deadlines to investigate and fix hazards such as damp and mould) to private tenancies, but it is not in force and no start date has been set.
- Decent Homes Standard for privately rented homes from 2035Not yet in force: confirmed, no start dateFine up to £7,000
The government has confirmed that a new Decent Homes Standard will apply to privately rented homes from 2035, enforced by councils. The standard's regulations have not yet been made.
For tenancies under 7 years, the landlord must keep the structure and exterior in repair and keep the water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating and hot water installations in repair and working order.
- Keep the home fit for human habitationIn force since 20 March 2019
The home must be fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy and throughout it. Tenants can go to court if it is not.