Responsibility for plumbing repairs in a rented commercial property usually depends on what the lease says. In many cases the tenant, the landlord or both may share the duty, depending on the type of lease. This article is general information only and is not legal advice.
Start With the Lease
GOV.UK says your lease should set out who is responsible for repairs and maintenance. It also says that any responsibility not mentioned in the lease will usually be the tenant’s. This means it is worth reading the repair clauses carefully before signing, not just when something goes wrong.
The lease should also deal with dilapidations. These are repairs a tenant may need to carry out, or pay for, when the lease ends. Plumbing that has been damaged or left in poor condition could form part of this.
How Repair Duties Are Often Split
Leases vary a lot, but some common types give a rough idea. Under a full repairing lease, the tenant may be responsible for most repairs to the property, which could include plumbing inside and outside the unit.
Under an internal repairing lease, the tenant may only be responsible for the inside of the unit. The landlord may keep responsibility for the structure, the outside and some shared services. Exactly where plumbing falls can depend on the wording.
Some leases split duties in other ways. For example, the tenant may look after taps, toilets and sinks, while the landlord handles main supply pipes or drains. It is always worth checking rather than assuming.
Shared Systems and Service Charges
In shared buildings, such as offices or retail parades, plumbing often serves more than one unit. Main pipes, risers, shared drains and communal washrooms may count as common parts. The landlord may arrange repairs to these and recover the cost through a service charge.
The lease should explain what the service charge covers and how it is shared. If a fault starts in a common part but damages your unit, who pays may depend on the lease and the cause.
Reporting Faults and Keeping Records
Whatever your lease says, report plumbing defects to the landlord or managing agent promptly, ideally in writing. A small leak left alone can damage stock, ceilings or a neighbouring unit.
Keep records of when a fault was found, who you told and what happened next. Photos, emails and repair invoices can all help if there is a dispute later. If your lease allows you to arrange repairs, getting plumbing help for commercial premises quickly can limit damage.
If you are unsure what your lease means, or there is a disagreement, speak to a solicitor or surveyor who deals with commercial property. They can explain how your lease applies to your situation.
If you need a plumbing fault looked at in a rented business unit in Swindon, Emergency Plumber Swindon can take a look at the plumbing side. Call us on 01793 569521.