A Landlord’s Guide to Drainage and Plumbing

Who is responsible for property drainage?

Whilst tenants would be expected to take care of a property they are renting or leasing, section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 explains that landlords are obliged to make basic repairs to a property. Particularly those that relate to drainage, pipes and other areas of plumbing. The legislation also makes it clear that landlords are not permitted to pass on the costs of plumbing and drain maintenance to their tenants.

With that in mind, private landlords need to be aware of the drain repairs they are responsible for and how they can best maintain the plumbing in rental or leased properties.

Who is responsible for drains in a leasehold property?

Similar to tenants in a regular rented property, section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 takes certain drain repair responsibilities away from the tenant. In this scenario however, a leaseholder may well be the owner of the building in its entirety. Think a block of flats whereby each property is owned by a different landlord. Flat or building maintenance could be the responsibility of the freeholder/building management company. It is best to check with the freeholder so that you may in form your tenants of the correct drain repair process.

What are the landlord’s obligations?

Landlords of private rental properties are responsible for completing most major drain maintenance in the home. That includes:

• The structure of the property, including the walls, roof, windows and doors
• Sinks, baths and toilets
• Internal pipework and wiring
• Sewers, drains, guttering and rainwater pipes
• Heating, hot water and radiators
• The safety of gas and electrical appliances

Generally speaking, your property must comply with the following requirements to avoid the risk of an enforcement notice from the local authority:

• All parts of the house should be in good working order and a reasonable state of repair.
• Emergency repairs such as leaking roofs, failed central heating, burst water pipes and faulty electrical installation should be attended to within 24 hours wherever possible. You should also give tenants important information such as emergency contact numbers and instructions about how to turn off the water, gas and electricity supplies.

If you have a disabled tenant, then you may also be required to make reasonable adjustments such as installing handrails in the bathroom.

Tenants’ responsibility for blocked drains

Generally speaking, any minor repairs such as changing light bulbs and fuses, are the responsibility of the tenant. The tenant should also be liable to fix or replace anything they break. As these come under wear and tear. Similarly, if the tenant blocks any drains, waste pipes or gullies through misuse, then it is their responsibility to have them repaired. These expectations would be laid out in relevant tenancy agreements.

Landlord drain maintenance tips

1.  Check the property’s pipework

It’s important that landlords conduct a thorough audit of the property’s plumbing with a pre-purchase or homebuyers drain survey. They should also check the integrity of fitted appliances before the start of every new tenancy. This will ensure everything is in good working order and identify any jobs that need to be done.

2.  Educate tenants on drain health

It’s well worth spending five minutes of your time talking to tenants about what they should and should not be putting down the drain. This can be communicated verbally or in a tenant information pack. You should also explain that any blockages caused by non-biodegradable items in toilets and sinks will be their responsibility to fix.

3.  Opt into a plumbing maintenance plan

Plumbing maintenance plans involve regular check-ups and maintenance to not only ensure optimum performance, but also that any issues are identified before they become problematic or expensive to solve. You can customise a plumbing maintenance plan to meet your particular needs and save you money over the long-term. Speak to our friendly team who can help you put together a plumbing maintenance plan that works for your property.

4.  Install and update grease management systems

With up to 70% of drain blockages caused by the build-up of fat, oil and grease, an effective grease management system can help to reduce the risk of a blockage and the expense associated with plumber callouts.

5.  Have an emergency plumbing plan in place

Do you have the number of an emergency plumber you know will provide a reliable, cost-effective 24-hour call out service? If not, find out more about our emergency plumber service today.

Pre-tenancy drain clean and inspection

At Drain Doctor, we provide a pre-tenancy drain clean and inspection service to give landlords and tenants the peace of mind they need when dealing with a new property or lease. To find out more about this service, or to enquire about any other plumbing and drainage work at your property, feel free to get in touch today. Using the latest tools at hand, we can inspect and review the property to ensure the drainage is problem free. Should drain problems be identified, then we have the services available to save you further issues.