Rent Act 1977

11 (1) The defects which may be specified in a certificate of disrepair shall not include any defects in the state of internal decorative repair unless the landlord is responsible for internal decorative repairs under the terms of the tenancy or is to be treated as responsible therefor by virtue of an election under paragraph 2 above.

(2) In considering whether or not to issue a certificate of disrepair or what defects to specify in such a certificate, the local authority shall treat the landlord as responsible for internal decorative repairs if the application for a certificate alleges that he is responsible therefor or that he is to be treated as responsible therefor by virtue of an election under paragraph 2 above, but in any other case the local authority shall treat the landlord as not responsible for such repairs.

(3) Paragraph 4(6) above shall apply in relation to a defect in the state of internal decorative repair as if, for the words "for which the tenant is responsible ", there were substituted " for which the landlord is not responsible and is not to be treated as responsible by virtue of an election under paragraph 2 above ".