Student Housing Repairs: The Ultimate Guide

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It’s almost inevitable that during your time at university, something will break inside your student home. Whether it’s a broken washing machine or a burst pipe, it’s essential you know exactly whose responsibility it is to fix any issues and what you need to do.  

This guide will cover who’s responsible for student housing repairs, your responsibilities as a student, and your landlord’s or accommodation provider's responsibilities. 

Everything you need to know about student housing repairs

Who is responsible for repairs? 

If you’re living in student housing, you might be wondering who's responsible for repairs when something goes wrong.  

The good news is that your landlord (not your letting agent) is responsible for most student housing repairs.

The same goes for if you live in private halls; report any repairs that need sorting to your accommodation manager as soon as you notice them, and they should have someone on hand to fix that for you.

However, as a student tenant, you still have some responsibilities – read on to find out more.

Not sure if you want to live in a shared house or private halls? Give our blog post 'Types of Student Accommodation: Your Options Explained' a read for insights into the different types of student housing.

What are students responsible for? 

Looking after your student home  

While living in a property, you’re responsible for treating it in a ‘tenant-like’ way. All this means is completing minor repairs yourself (which gives you the best chance of getting your deposit back when you move out) , keeping your student house or PBSA room fairly clean, and not causing any deliberate damage to the property. 

You can read more about the usual responsibilities expected of student tenants on this Citizens Advice page. In the meantime, make sure you check your tenancy agreement to see exactly what minor repairs you're expected to carry out yourself, and to find out if you're allowed to decorate your room with things like Blu Tack or pins.

In need of some ideas on how to safely make over your home as a student? Check out our blog post on renter-friendly ways to decorate your student room.

Letting your landlord know about any repairs  

Your landlord generally isn’t responsible for completing any repairs until they know about them. So, it’s your responsibility to let your landlord know about any issues that need fixing as soon as possible. 

Your tenancy agreement should tell you the best point of contact for repairs, whether that's your student house's landlord or your private halls' manager or repairs team.

Allowing your landlord access to carry out repairs 

As a student tenant, you must allow your landlord (or a tradesperson) access to the property to complete the repair.

That being said, your rights as a tenant mean that your landlord must give you at least 24 hours' notice in writing (according to Shelter) before entering your property unless it’s an emergency. 

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What are landlords responsible for?

Your landlord is responsible for the vast majority of repair work in your home and for ensuring that any provided items are in good working order, according to section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. 

Your landlord must repair the following:

• The structure and exterior of your student home or private halls. This includes the walls, the roof, foundations, drains, guttering and external pipes, windows and external doors.
• Basins, sinks, toilets, baths and pipework.
• Water and gas pipes, electrical wiring, water tanks, boilers, radiators, gas appliances, fitted electric fires or fitted heaters.

How quickly does the landlord have to complete repairs? 

Your landlord must complete repair work within a reasonable time. However, there’s no legal definition of what a reasonable time is, and how long it should take will depend on various factors, such as how bad the damage is.

Is the landlord responsible for fixing appliances? 

If the appliances are supplied by your landlord, such as a fridge or washing machine, then they’re responsible for fixing them if they break.

However, when it comes to your own appliances (such as a toaster or microwave that you've bought yourself) you’re responsible for repairing them. 

What should you do if something needs to be repaired? 

1. Report the problem ✍️

If there’s a problem in your student house and something that's your landlord's responsibility needs to be fixed, you should inform them as soon as possible. 

To report a repair, you’ll need to formally report the issue to your landlord. If there’s an emergency or an urgent problem, you should first call or speak to them in person.

Top tip: always follow up with details of the repair in writing (either by letter or email), so that there’s evidence of your report.

2. Document the issue with photos 📸

It’s a good idea to take photos of what needs to be repaired or any damage. Your landlord might ask for these pictures to help them understand the problem, and they'll also act as evidence if you need to pursue the matter further.

3. Get a timeline of repairs ⏱️

Ask your landlord for a timescale for the repairs. You can contact them again if they’re not completed by this date, but remember you must allow them reasonable time to complete any repairs. 

What should you do if your landlord is taking too long to complete repairs? 

If there’s a risk to your health, such as no hot water or heating, you can involve Environmental Health at your local council. They can force your landlord to act quicker and fix the problem.

Bear in mind that it's generally not a good idea to stop paying rent for your student home if your landlord isn't completing the necessary repairs, as this means you're in breach of your tenancy agreement.

How do I get something repaired if I live in private halls?

If you're a student living in private halls, you still have the right to functioning and well-maintained student accommodation. 

Your private halls will most likely have a dedicated maintenance team in charge of sorting any repairs for both rooms and communal areas, so check your tenancy agreement for details on how to contact them when you need a repair sorting. 

Find student accommodation with UniHomes 

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If you’re looking for your next student accommodation, we can help.  

UniHomes has thousands of student properties across the UK, from experienced and trusted landlords, letting agents and private halls providers.

Best of all, every property you see on our website comes with all bills included, with gas, electricity and water bundled into one neat monthly payment. You can even include a TV Licence (if you need one)!

Take a look at our range of amazing properties and find your ideal student home today, without any of the stress that comes with utility bills.