The landlord under a secure contract, a periodic standard contract or a fixed term standard contract made for a term of less than seven years must—
(a) keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling (including drains, gutters and external pipes), and
(b) keep in repair and proper working order the service installations in the dwelling.
If the dwelling forms part only of a building, the landlord must—
(a) keep in repair the structure and exterior of any other part of the building (including drains, gutters and external pipes) in which the landlord has an estate or interest, and
(b) keep in repair and proper working order a service installation which directly or indirectly serves the dwelling, and which either—
(i) forms part of any part of the building in which the landlord has an estate or interest, or
(ii) is owned by the landlord or is under the landlord's control.
The standard of repair required by subsections (1) and (2) is that which is reasonable having regard to the age and character of the dwelling, and the period during which the dwelling is likely to be available for occupation as a home.
In this Part, "service installation" means an installation for the supply of water, gas or electricity, for sanitation, for space heating or for heating water.
This section is a fundamental provision which is incorporated as a term of all secure contracts, all periodic standard contracts, and all fixed term standard contracts made for a term of less than seven years.