Most renters understand what they are aren’t responsibility for when it comes to maintaining the inside of a property, but when you start to notice issues with the exterior, there can be confusion as to who is liable.
The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985 specifically states that in regard to the repairing obligations in short leases, it is the landlord’s responsibility to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling-house (including drains, gutters and external pipes). There is the common misconception that tenants can be responsible for keeping the gutters on the property clear of leaves, dirt, and debris but this is not true and in fact, the tenant is only responsible for blockages or damage that they have directly caused.
Any issues, breakages or leaks that are affecting your guttering is the responsibility of the landlord to fix and despite what you may have heard, the length of the tenants lease does not change this responsibility.
If a tenant is concerned about their gutters and believe they could benefit being cleaned by a professional gutter cleaning service, they are within their rights to arrange such a service. Although it is legally the landlords responsibility to maintain the guttering on the property, it can often be more convenient for the tenant to arrange a gutter cleaning service.
In doing so the pressure is taken off both the landlord and tenant, ensuring that a safe and reliable service will be carried out as part of maintaining the property. Often landlords will appreciate tenants who are willing to keep an eye on the exterior of the property, ensuring it is safe and properly maintained.
If you are a tenant and want to arrange a gutter cleaning service, it is advisable to speak to your landlord first to ascertain when it was last carried out as well as who should arrange this service. In some cases, when landlords have long standing tenants, they will request that the tenant arranges and pays for the service which can then be compensated through reduced rent.
Guttering is a last thought for most landlords, but it doesn’t take long for damaged or clogged gutters to show wear and tear on your property and devalue your investment. Not only can it cause your roof to leak, resulting in water damage to the interior and exterior of the home, but it can also create the perfect breeding ground for pests, rodents, and mould. These issues can end up costing you thousands in repairs and if you have tenants living in your property, the liability increases tenfold.
In order to protect the value and condition of your investment, hiring a professional gutter cleaning service is key. How often your property requires gutter cleaning will vary depending on how many trees you have surrounding the property and more importantly, how frequently these trees shed their leaves. A good way of determining this is noting how often leaves collect on the ground as whatever you see there will also be falling in your guttering. One of the best ways property owners can help to protect their guttering is by installing gutter guards which help to reduce blockages and how frequently your gutters need cleaning.
Towards the end of the autumn is the ideal time for most landlords to look at hiring a professional gutter cleaning service. Not only will it prepare their property for the winter ensuring they don’t have issues with frozen drains and dense blockages, but it also provides peace of mind knowing the job has been safely carried out by knowledgeable and experienced specialist. It is always advisable to hire a professional company to not only protect your property from damage but to avoid any accidents that might occur when trying to clean the guttering yourself.
If you are a landlord and are concerned about how best to clean the guttering on your property and would like to know more about the specialist gutter cleaning service Direct Cleaning Group provides across the North West, get in touch today on 03300 02 02 88 or send a message to info@directcleaninggroup.co.uk.
