Q. I rent out rooms in a shared house on separate contracts. They all share a kitchen, bathroom and living room. These have a tendency to become untidy and dirty – whose responsibility is it to maintain them?

A. Under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations 2006, it is your responsibility to ensure that all common parts are kept in good and clean ‘decorative repair’, in a safe condition and clear from obstruction.

The regulations go on to say that you are also responsible for handrails and bannisters, stair coverings, windows and lighting in the common parts and to ensure that appliances used in common are in good and safe repair and working order.

It is usually a good idea to employ a cleaner to come in regularly to clean the common parts, as you cannot reasonably expect the tenants to clean up after each other. The cleaner can then also alert you to any problems that arise with the house.

Q. My tenants are constantly failing to put the rubbish bins out for the Council on time and so they tend to be overflowing onto the pavement. I keep reminding them, but they keep forgetting. I understand that this can be the subject of a fine from the Council. If this happens, would the fine be for the tenants, or would the Council also fine me as the landlord?