Are you liable for minor repairs you don't report to landlord?

Hi all, I've lived in my current flat for five years and have to move soon because the landlord sold it to a residential buyer (as opposed to someone else who would've been a landlord, too).

It's always felt a bit unpleasant making complaints about things needing repairs because this is the first time we've rented from an individual landlord, whereas in the States we rented from an apartment complex where there was a handyman. And in the States we never had nearly as many things breakdown as here, even though this is a very new flat. It's a silly feeling in a way, as we pay a high rent. But we always thought it would be best not to report things we could live with because we didn't want to be a nuisance. We have had many things over the years that we had to report because they were essential (the boiler has had many problems, as has the washing machine, stove, etc).

Well, now we will have to move. If we don't report all the little problems in the flat, will we be liable for the cost of repairs when the new owners come in? These are things that should obviously not be our fault. For instance, most of the doorknobs in the place don't quite connect. The door closes, but you can just push it open without turning the knob. And the plastic drawers in the freezer have all cracked and broken over the years. Another little problem the landlord actually looked at years ago and said it obviously wasn't our fault and he'd repair, but then he never did so I let it go. Should we report those things now or not? I don't want it to seem like we're making a bunch of little complaints to be vindictive because we are about to move. I would rather not have people coming and going to fix little things when we have so much to do now, anyway. But will we be held liable for them if we don't report them?

Hi all, I've lived in my current flat for five years and have to move soon because the landlord sold it to a residential buyer (as opposed to someone else who would've been a landlord, too).

It's always felt a bit unpleasant making complaints about things needing repairs because this is the first time we've rented from an individual landlord, whereas in the States we rented from an apartment complex where there was a handyman. And in the States we never had nearly as many things breakdown as here, even though this is a very new flat. It's a silly feeling in a way, as we pay a high rent. But we always thought it would be best not to report things we could live with because we didn't want to be a nuisance. We have had many things over the years that we had to report because they were essential (the boiler has had many problems, as has the washing machine, stove, etc).

Well, now we will have to move. If we don't report all the little problems in the flat, will we be liable for the cost of repairs when the new owners come in? These are things that should obviously not be our fault. For instance, most of the doorknobs in the place don't quite connect. The door closes, but you can just push it open without turning the knob. And the plastic drawers in the freezer have all cracked and broken over the years. Another little problem the landlord actually looked at years ago and said it obviously wasn't our fault and he'd repair, but then he never did so I let it go. Should we report those things now or not? I don't want it to seem like we're making a bunch of little complaints to be vindictive because we are about to move. I would rather not have people coming and going to fix little things when we have so much to do now, anyway. But will we be held liable for them if we don't report them?

In my experience...yes. It can depend on how much of a...whatever...your landlord is, i.e how reasonable they are, and  there's obviously the tenancy deposit protection scheme but the landlord will have photographs and stuff of those things actually being broken, so all the TDPS will do is ensure they' take a reasonable amount of money from your deposit rather than loads and loads.

Can you not get him to sign a letter or email which states the issues wrong with the flat, that you're not bothered about him repairing them but you want him to confirm that you're not liable for them? Then you can show that to the TDPS people if it came down to it.

This kind of minor thing, like doorknobs is really worth just chatting to your landlord about and seeing what he thinks, then getting him to confirm he's not going to hold you responsible and that the issues constitute normal wear & tear.

Maybe this will help? 
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/Repairsandstandards/DG_189194

In my experience...yes. It can depend on how much of a...whatever...your landlord is, i.e how reasonable they are, and  there's obviously the tenancy deposit protection scheme but the landlord will have photographs and stuff of those things actually being broken, so all the TDPS will do is ensure they' take a reasonable amount of money from your deposit rather than loads and loads.

Can you not get him to sign a letter or email which states the issues wrong with the flat, that you're not bothered about him repairing them but you want him to confirm that you're not liable for them? Then you can show that to the TDPS people if it came down to it.

This kind of minor thing, like doorknobs is really worth just chatting to your landlord about and seeing what he thinks, then getting him to confirm he's not going to hold you responsible and that the issues constitute normal wear & tear.

I don't know, the flat has already been sold. I don't know how sales work in this country -- it was very recently, and we still live here for a couple more months, so is the previous landlord still our landlord, or the new owners? I would think it's the new owners, but possibly the previous owner is responsible for a given amount of time. Unfortunately we don't have his email. We do have a phone number, but I'm not sure it's appropriate to call about a flat he already sold. I was really, really surprised when the landlord didn't come over to look things over and see if there were little things he could fix up once the place went on the market. The flat is handled by a management agency, and while the landlord seemed nice the few times we talked to him, it's very rare we do talk to him. The last time was in December, when he asked if we planned on staying here when the lease was up. We said yep, no plans on going anywhere. So we got a false sense of security that he had no plans to sell.

Anyhow, the letting agency is sending someone for a 3-month inspection tomorrow and I don't know what probs to point out. I do know in the past the agency is rather careless, meaning I don't know how what I tell them will translate. We have told them in the past about problems, stating we can live with it, we're just letting you know because the landlord has a warranty on this item and *if* the warranty covers the full cost I'm sure he wants to have it fixed. If it doesn't, he doesn't have to fix it on our account. And then next thing you know repairmen are out, neither they nor the management agency had updated info on the appliance, and I told them to check with the landlord. They did, and then proceded to do repairs even though it wasn't covered and billed the landlord.

So, I don't know what to do at all.

Maybe this will help? 
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/Repairsandstandards/DG_189194

There's also this:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/rights_and_responsibilities

Both should provide some guidance.

HTH. 

If the flat has been sold then you would be out of the flat. It takes minimum 3 months till completion is done so the sale is still in process. I wouldn't worry too much as they will have to let you know when you have to leave. Also you present landlord just want to sell flat so he doesn't care if something is wrong and  as soon as completion is done a new owner is taking  over and he is already prepared to do some changes and work to the flat. But, just in case, you should send a mail to the landlord with your concern.