Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Advice and assistance for private tenants

Accommodation standards

A property is not fit for habitation if:

• It is in serious disrepair
• It is not structurally stable
• It has dampness which is prejudicial to the health of the occupants
• It does not have adequate provision for lighting, heating and ventilation
• It does not have an adequate piped supply of wholesome water
• It does not have an effective system for the drainage of foul, waste and surface water
• It does not have a suitably located WC for exclusive use of the occupants
• It does not have a bath or shower and wash-hand basin, with hot and cold water
• It does not have satisfactory facilities for the preparation and cooking of food including a sink with hot and cold water.

Gas and electrical appliances

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 landlords have a duty to ensure that all gas appliances are well maintained and receive an annual service from a registered CORGI professional. The landlord must keep a record of all safety checks. The landlord is also required to ensure that all electrical appliances and  electrical installations such as wiring are safe to use. For more information please see "A guide to landlords’ duties - gas safety" leaflet which can be downloaded from the right of the page.

Fire safety of furniture and furnishings

The landlord must ensure that any furniture and furnishings supplied meets the fire resistance requirements of the Furniture and Furnishing Fire Safety Regulations 1988.

Who is responsible for what?

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985 the landlord is responsible for repairs to:

• The structure and exterior of the dwelling
• Basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary installations in the dwelling
• Heating and hot water installations.   

The landlord is generally not responsible for repairs arising from damage caused by the tenant or for the rebuilding of the property in the event of fire, flood or any other inevitable accident. 

What can tenants do if these standards are not being met?

If you feel the property you are renting fails to meet these standards and the landlord fails to rectify any faults, you can contact the Housing Operations Team, using the contact details on the right. The Team can investigate your concerns and advise you what action to take next.

For more information 

For more information about private renting see the Communities and Local Government website.