Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts

Landlord and tenant liability for inherent design or construction defects in leasehold property: scope of repairing covenants, implied obligations, and duties when defects cause damage (excluding Building Safety Act 2022)

Practice notes
imgtext

This Practice Note explores the definition of an inherent defect, identifies whether the duty to remedy rests with the landlord or the tenant, considers any obligations implied by law to address inherent defects, and explains the position where a defect causes damage. It does not address repair liabilities under the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022). For guidance on liability under BSA 2022, see Practice Notes: Building Safety Act 2022—key provisions and issues and Building Safety Act 2022—landlord and tenant issues...

Inherent defects in leasehold property

Design flaws, defective installation, or the choice of unsuitable or inadequate materials during construction can create serious issues over time...

  • In a leading authority, failed joints in the basement of an office building allowed water ingress, leaving the basement unfit for use...
  • In another case, inadequately designed double-glazing units caused condensation and black mould...

When such issues arise, the allocation of responsibility for the resulting loss quickly comes to the fore...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Read More Right Arrow

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Read More Right Arrow

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Read More Right Arrow

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

Read More Right Arrow