Furniture and equipment

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England

If you rent furnished accommodation, your landlord is responsible for replacing or mending fittings, furniture and equipment that have broken or become unusable or unsafe through everyday wear and tear.

Who is responsible for furniture and equipment?

Your landlord is legally responsible for replacing or repairing fixtures, fittings, appliances and furnishings that become unusable or dangerous due to normal wear and tear. This includes:

• light fittings
• carpets
• kitchen fittings (for example, cupboards and drawers)
• electrical appliances such as the cooker, microwave, fridge, washing machine or vacuum cleaner.

Remember, your landlord is not responsible for repairing anything that belongs to you.

What if furniture or equipment gets damaged?

If any of the items your landlord has provided become dangerous or unusable through everyday wear and tear, you should report the problem to your landlord straight away. They should then repair or replace the items within a reasonable time frame. Read the page on getting repairs done to find out more about reporting repair issues.

Your tenancy agreement should say whether your landlord has to replace worn out or damaged furniture that isn't actually unsafe or unusable.

What if my landlord refuses to replace or repair damaged equipment?

Your landlord is legally responsible for ensuring that the fixtures, fittings, appliances and furnishings they provide are in working order and safe to use. Therefore, if your landlord refuses to replace or repair damaged items, you will be able to take action against them, for example, by applying to the private rented housing panel (PRHP).

Are there any standards for furniture safety?

Any furniture and equipment supplied by your landlord should be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order. This doesn't mean that it needs to be brand new; it just means that it should work and shouldn't be dangerous in any way.

In particular, any upholstered furniture provided by your landlord should be fire resistant (this includes sofas, armchairs, mattresses and head boards and cushions). There should be a symbol on these kinds of items to show they conform to safety standards - you can find out more and see examples of the labels here.

If the furnishings in your accommodation do not conform to fire safety standards or seem in any way unsafe, ask your landlord to replace them. If they refuse, your local trading standards office can take action against them. Depending on your tenancy type, you may also be able to make an application to the PRHP.

Find out more about fire safety here.

What about gas equipment?

Gas equipment provided by your landlord, such as fires or a cooker, must be inspected every year by a CORGI registered gas engineer. Your landlord has to keep a copy of the safety inspection report and fix any problems identified by the engineer. Your landlord should give you a copy of this report.

If you're worried that gas equipment in your accommodation isn't safe, don't use it. Let your landlord know immediately. If your landlord won't fix it, you may be able to make an application to the PRHP, depending on your tenancy type.

Find out more about gas safety here.

What about electrical goods?

If your landlord supplied the electrical appliances such as a fridge or washing machine, they will be responsible for maintaining them and fixing them if they break down.

Any electrical equipment provided by your landlord must be safe, although there is no requirement for a safety certificate. If you think the electrical equipment in your accommodation is unsafe and your landlord refuses to do anything about it, you should get advice from your nearest trading standards office. Depending on your tenancy type, you could also make an application to the PRHP.

You are responsible for maintaining any electrical goods that belong to you.

Find out more about electrical safety here.

What if I damage the furniture or equipment?

If you damage the furniture or equipment provided by your landlord, you have a responsibility to fix it. This is the case regardless of whether the damage was deliberate or accidental. This might involve repairing or replacing anything that has been damaged, or paying for your landlord to replace it. If you damage the furniture or equipment, your landlord might be able to use this as a reason to evict you.

You should report any damage to your landlord straight away. If you suspect the furniture or appliance may be unsafe as a result of the damage, don't use it.

Where can I get help?

If you are having problems with furniture or equipment and aren't sure of your rights, you can get advice from a housing aid centre or Citizens Advice Bureau, your local council or other local advice centre. Use the Advice Services Directory to find agencies in your area.