Most tenants only find out where the boundary lies when something goes wrong — usually at the end of a tenancy, when a deduction appears on the deposit return. It is worth understanding sooner. Around 22% of tenants report unfair deposit deductions, and a good proportion of those disputes come down to a genuine misunderstanding about who was supposed to fix what.
The framework comes from the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the long-standing principle that a tenant must use the property in a “tenant-like manner”. In practice that means small, everyday upkeep is yours; the fabric of the building is your landlord’s.
Key repair obligations for tenants in Blackburn
- Replacing light bulbs and fuses when they blow
- Cleaning and ventilating the property to prevent condensation damp and mould
- Looking after the garden — mowing the lawn, trimming plants
- Reporting significant faults to the landlord promptly
- Allowing the landlord access for inspections, with 24 hours’ notice
Routine maintenance at a glance
| Task | What it covers | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Routine cleaning and pest control | Weekly |
| Garden | Mowing the lawn, trimming plants | Monthly |
| Fixtures | Replacing bulbs, tightening handles | As needed |
| Reporting faults | Telling the landlord about leaks, damp and electrical faults | Immediately |
Tenant or landlord: who handles which repairs?
| Category | Landlord | Tenant |
|---|---|---|
| Structure and exterior | Walls, roof, guttering, windows and doors | Report problems as soon as they appear |
| Utilities | Heating, hot water, gas and fixed electrical installations | Bulbs, fuses and using systems properly |
| Plumbing and sanitation | Pipework, basins, baths and toilets | Avoiding blockages through careful use |
| Appliances | Anything supplied with the property | Keeping them clean and using them as intended |
| General maintenance | Structural damp, major repairs | Cleaning, ventilation and the garden |
| Damage | Fair wear and tear | Damage caused by the tenant or their guests |
Routine maintenance every Blackburn tenant should know
- Replace light bulbs and fuses
- Clean and air out rooms to prevent damp and mould
- Keep outdoor areas tidy
- Keep appliances clean
- Use the plumbing and heating systems properly
How and when to report repairs
Reporting quickly matters twice over: it gets the problem fixed, and it creates the record you will need if it is not. For context, in 2024/25 91% of emergency repairs and 79% of non-emergency repairs met landlords’ target times — which also means a meaningful share did not.
| Severity | Examples | Report within |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Gas leak, burst pipe | 24 hours |
| Urgent | Broken boiler, roof leak | 48 hours |
| Routine | Loose tiles, faulty door | 7 days |
| Follow-up | Nothing done after a reasonable period | Chase in writing |
Put it in writing every time. A landlord’s repairing duty is generally triggered by notice of the defect. An email or a message you can produce later proves what was reported and when — and that record is what a disrepair claim is built on.
Access and cooperation during repairs
Your landlord must give reasonable notice — usually at least 24 hours in writing — before entering the property, except in a genuine emergency. In return, you are expected to allow access so that repairs and inspections can be carried out. Refusing repeatedly can breach the tenancy agreement, and it also weakens your position if the disrepair later becomes a dispute.
Mould, ventilation and outdoor areas
Blackburn’s damp climate makes condensation a year-round issue. Tenants are expected to manage it by ventilating rooms, using extractor fans, heating the home evenly and wiping down moisture where it collects. Structural damp is a different matter entirely — water penetrating through walls, roofs or rising from below is the landlord’s responsibility, and no amount of opening windows will fix it. For scale, 1.3 million households in England had damp homes in 2023–24.
Fair wear, deposit deductions and tenant liability
Fair wear and tear is the deterioration that comes from ordinary use over time, and a landlord cannot charge for it. Damage is different.
| Fair wear and tear | Tenant damage |
|---|---|
| Carpet fading from sunlight | Cigarette burn marks |
| Minor scuffs on walls | Holes or dents |
| Loose door handles | Broken locks |
A checklist to avoid the common mistakes
- Report every issue straight awayDelay makes the damage worse and weakens your position.
- Never attempt major repairs yourselfNot without written authorisation from your landlord.
- Keep the property clean and clutter-freeAirflow around walls and furniture helps prevent condensation.
- Take dated photographsAt move-in and move-out, and whenever a problem appears.
- Re-read your tenancy agreementIt sets out what you agreed to take on.
- Keep communication openA clear paper trail benefits both sides.
How Housing Disrepair Experts can help
Where a landlord has been told about a repair and has not dealt with it, tenants often do not know what to do next. We can help you:
- Understand how repair and maintenance law applies to your situation
- Gather the documentation and records that support your position
- Take lawful steps when a landlord neglects their obligations
- Navigate a complaint to the housing authority
- Deal with insurance issues arising from the disrepair
- Get clear guidance on what legal action would involve
Housing Disrepair Experts acts for tenants of councils and housing associations; we do not currently take on claims against private landlords. If you rent from a local authority or a housing association, you can read how disrepair claims work, check your rights as a tenant, or speak to our team about pursuing the compensation you may be owed.