Who Pays for Health & Safety Repairs in Rented Homes in Wales?

If you're renting a home in Wales, knowing who is responsible for repairs that affect your health and safety is essential. From damp and electrical problems to fire safety, tenants are protected by clear Welsh laws. This guide explains which repairs are the landlord's legal duty, when you might need to act, and your options if issues aren’t fixed.

Landlord and Tenant Duties: Health & Safety in Welsh Rentals

Landlords in Wales have specific legal duties to ensure properties meet certain health, safety, and fitness standards. The law covers everything from structural issues to fire and electrical hazards.

• Landlords must repair and maintain the structure and exterior (such as roofs, walls, gutters, windows, and doors).
• They are also responsible for keeping installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating, and hot water in safe, working order.
• Tenants are responsible for minor maintenance and for not causing damage—but not for major health and safety repairs.

Legal Basis: The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 is the key legislation. This law requires every landlord to ensure their property is fit for human habitation for the whole contract period. If your home has major damp, mould, faulty wiring, or a broken boiler, your landlord must put it right.^[1]

What Counts as a Health & Safety Repair?

Examples of repairs your landlord must handle:

• Unsafe gas or electrical systems
• Serious leaks or damp causing mould
• Broken heating and hot water systems, especially in winter
• Fire safety issues, like missing smoke alarms or faulty fire doors
• Structural issues threatening your safety (e.g., broken stairs or windows)

What About Urgent Repairs?

Some health and safety repairs are classed as urgent. Your landlord should make safe any hazardous issues as soon as possible—usually within 24 hours for emergencies.

If Your Landlord Fails to Do Repairs

If you’ve reported a health and safety problem and your landlord does not fix it:

• Write to your landlord again—the sooner, the better. Keep copies.
• Contact your local council's Environmental Health team. They can inspect the property and may issue notices to your landlord.
• If the issue continues, you may apply to the official Residential Property Tribunal for Wales for enforcement.

Renters in Wales should never withhold rent to 'force' repairs. This can risk eviction. Use official channels for help and always keep records.

Official Forms for Health & Safety Repairs in Wales

• Rent Repayment Order Application – RPT RRO 1
  If your landlord fails to keep your property safe or ignores hazard notices, you could use this form to ask for some of your rent back. For example, if your home had serious damp and the council fined your landlord, you might claim a rent rebate. Find and download: Rent Repayment Order Application Form RPT RRO 1.
• Residential Property Tribunal Form – General Application
  If your landlord does not carry out mandated repairs, you can use this form to apply to the Tribunal for enforcement action. See: General Application Form (Wales).

What Are My Next Steps?

If you’re facing urgent health and safety problems in your Welsh rental home, you can:

• Report the problem in writing to your landlord or letting agent
• Allow reasonable access for inspections and repairs
• Contact your council’s Housing or Environmental Health team if repairs aren’t made
• Escalate the complaint to the Residential Property Tribunal

FAQs: Health & Safety Repairs for Welsh Renters

1. Who is responsible for fixing damp, mould, and leaks in my rented home in Wales?
   Landlords must tackle serious damp, leaks, and mould as these affect health and the property’s fitness for habitation. Tenants need only deal with minor cleaning and everyday upkeep.
2. Can my landlord charge me for repairs after a safety inspection?
   Landlords cannot pass on the cost of repairs needed to meet safety standards, unless the damage was caused deliberately or by negligence from the tenant.
3. How do I escalate if my landlord ignores urgent health and safety repairs?
   If written requests don’t work, contact your local council’s Environmental Health team. If conditions remain poor, you can apply to the Residential Property Tribunal for Wales using their official forms.
4. Are there penalties if my landlord fails to fix health hazards?
   Yes, councils can use legal powers to force repairs, fine landlords, and—if serious—tenants can apply for rent repayment or compensation through the Tribunal.
5. What does ‘fit for human habitation’ mean under Welsh law?
   This means the home must be safe, healthy, and free from hazards—covering structural safety, proper heating, safe electrics, fire safety, and no harmful damp or pests.

Key Takeaways for Welsh Renters

• Landlords must pay for repairs impacting your health and safety, unless you caused the problem.
• Use written records, escalate unresolved repairs via the council or Tribunal, and never withhold rent as a response.
• Official forms are available to support your case if landlords breach their duties.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Welsh Government: Guide for Tenants
• Shelter Cymru: Repairs and Bad Conditions Advice
• Residential Property Tribunal for Wales – for submitting enforcement forms
• Your local council's Housing or Environmental Health department

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1. Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016: official legislation
2. Welsh Government – Fitness of Homes Guidance
3. Residential Property Tribunal for Wales

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