Mathew McDermott asks whether ignorance really is bliss...
The busy housing lawyer is very familiar with s 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (LTA 1985). It is the section that implies into all short leases of dwelling houses (generally, with some exceptions, leases for less than seven years) a covenant by the landlord to ensure parts of the dwelling house are kept in repair. More specifically, it implies in to all such leases an obligation upon the landlord to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling house (including drains, gutters and external pipes); to 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 to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling house for space heating and heating water.
Of course, if you live in,
