In a nutshell: Not always, but you do need to make sure your property is properly ventilated. And in a lot of cases, that means yes, you’ll need an extractor fan.
Whether you’re a seasoned landlord or just starting out, figuring out what’s legally required (and what’s just “best practice”) can be a bit of a minefield. Ventilation might not sound exciting, but it’s a huge part of keeping your property in good shape, and your tenants happy and healthy.
So, what does the law say?
Let’s break it down so you know exactly where you stand.
Why ventilation is such a big deal
Damp. Condensation. Mould. None of these are things you want turning up in your rental. Whether it’s for health reasons, maintenance costs, or avoiding complaints from tenants.
That’s where ventilation comes in. A good extractor fan helps to keep the air moving, gets rid of excess moisture, and stops damp from taking hold in the first place.
As a landlord, it’s your job to make sure your tenants have a safe and healthy living space, and ventilation is a huge part of that.
At J Property Management, we help landlords stay on top of all those little (and not-so-little) things like ventilation, compliance checks, and general property management, so nothing falls through the cracks.
So, are extractor fans a legal requirement?
Here’s the short version:
- Bathrooms: If there’s no openable window, then yes, you’re legally required to fit an extractor fan.
- Kitchens: If it’s a new build or recently renovated, then extractor fans (or other mechanical ventilation) are also a legal must.
- Older properties: Not legally required unless you’re doing major works, but you still need to make sure ventilation is “adequate”.
What counts as “adequate”? That’s where things get technical – Building Regulations Part F lays it all out. If you’re not sure your property ticks the boxes, drop us a line at J Property Management and we’ll help you figure it out.
A closer look at the legal side
If you’re still not sure whether you need to legally install an extractor fan, think about it like this:
Bathrooms
If there’s no window that opens, you’re required to install a mechanical extractor fan. It should be able to extract at least 15 litres of air per second to do the job properly. This isn’t just to prevent mould building up, it can protect the structure of your property too.
Kitchens
In new builds or major renovations, the fan must extract:
- 30 litres/second if placed over a hob, or
- 60 litres/second if it’s elsewhere in the room.
If your rental kitchen was built before 2006 and hasn’t been altered since, you might be off the legal hook – but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to skip ventilation. Damp kitchens turn into bigger problems fast.
What The Homes Act says about extractor fans
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 means you have to keep your property in a liveable condition throughout the tenancy. That includes making sure it’s free from serious damp and mould – and yes, that comes back to ventilation.
If a tenant takes you to court over damp or mould (which falls under their tenant rights), not having proper ventilation could land you in hot water. At J Property Management, we can help you stay on the right side of the law and avoid any unwanted surprises.
Who’s responsible for what?
There’s always a bit of confusion about what’s the landlord’s job and what’s down to the tenant. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Install extractor fan: Landlord
Keep fan working: Landlord
Change fan batteries: Tenant
Report issues: Tenant
In short, you’re responsible for making sure the fan’s there and that it works. Your tenant just needs to let you know if it breaks, or change the batteries if it’s that kind of model.
Why good ventilation is a win for landlords
Apart from staying compliant with the law, extractor fans help you avoid a whole bunch of headaches:
- No damp = fewer repairs
- No mould = healthier tenants
- Better air quality = fewer complaints
It also helps protect the value of your property in the long run. Moisture can damage walls, ceilings, paintwork, and furniture. Not to mention it doesn’t look great during inspections or viewings.
If you’re trying to keep your property running smoothly, ventilation should be high on your priority list.
Modern fixes: Going beyond the basic fan
If you want to go a step further, there are some great modern ventilation systems out there, like dMEV (decentralised mechanical ventilation), MEV, and MVHR units. These systems keep air moving constantly and are great for newer, more airtight homes.
Even better? There are smart environmental sensors now that monitor things like humidity and air quality in real time. They can alert you to problems before you get that dreaded email from a tenant – so have a think about the type of investment that can help you run your property most effectively.
So… do you need an extractor fan as a landlord?
If there’s no bathroom window or you’ve got a new build kitchen – yes, absolutely. For everything else, it comes down to whether you’ve got “adequate ventilation.” And in most cases, a fan is the easiest way to make sure you do.
It’s not always black and white, but the bottom line is this: if your property has damp, condensation, or mould, you’ll need to do something about it, and ventilation is usually the first place to start.
Let J Property Management take care of it for you
Staying compliant as a landlord can feel like a full-time job. Between managing tenant expectations, legal updates, and property upkeep, it’s easy to miss something small that ends up costing you big.
That’s where we come in.
At J Property Management, we help landlords:
- Stay on top of legal ventilation requirements
- Install and maintain extractor fans and other ventilation systems
- Monitor air quality with smart tech
- Keep tenants happy and properties protected
Whether you need a quick inspection or a full compliance check, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch today to find out how we can help take the pressure off and keep your property running like clockwork.
