Q. I provide an oven and fridge to tenants in my rented property. My tenant says that they are not working properly and that it is my responsibility to either fix them or provide new items. Is this correct?

A. You need to look first at your tenancy agreement and see what it says about maintenance of appliances. If it is silent on this, then the relevant law is in s11 - 14 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. This provides that, for leases with a term of less than seven years, landlords must: “keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity)”

And: “the installations in the dwelling-house for space heating and heating water.”

So, this will include all the sinks etc, most heaters provided by you and the boiler. However, it does not extend to ovens and fridges. So, unless your tenancy agreement specifically provides for you to maintain these items, they are not normally your responsibility. Provided that they were safe at the time that the property was let.

You may, though, in the interests of maintaining good relations with your tenants, agree to help but I suggest you make it clear that this is done as a gesture of goodwill and not because you have a legal obligation to do so.