Sealant Maintenance for Landlords and Agents

By Mr Mastic · Updated 26 October 2026

For landlords and letting agents, sealant is a small item that causes big problems. A split bead around a bath lets water into the floor. Mouldy silicone leads to damp and mould complaints. A leak can reach the flat below. This guide explains why sealant matters in rented homes, what the rules say in England and Scotland, and how to keep on top of it between tenancies.

Why sealant causes so many complaints

Sealant is a maintenance item. It wears with use and cleaning, and it doesn’t last forever. In a rented home it often gets less day-to-day care than in an owner’s home, and small problems are not always reported early.

The usual pattern is simple. The bead splits or lifts, water gets behind it, and over weeks or months the damage spreads: swollen bath panels, stained ceilings below, loose tiles and mould. By the time it is reported, the repair is far bigger than a reseal.

What the rules say

In England, GOV.UK lists the repairs a private landlord is always responsible for. These include the property’s structure and exterior, and basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings, including pipes and drains (GOV.UK: private renting repairs). The government has also published guidance for rented housing providers on the health risks of damp and mould (GOV.UK: damp and mould guidance).

In Scotland, private landlords must be registered and must meet the Repairing Standard. Among other things, the house must be wind and watertight and in all other respects reasonably fit for human habitation, and installations for sanitation must be in reasonable repair and proper working order (gov.scot: Repairing Standard guidance).

Sealant is a small part of all this, but a failed bead can be the cause of a much bigger problem.

Need it done properly? Mr Mastic covers the South East, London and Scotland, with a one-year guarantee on every job. Call or email for a quick quote.

Use void periods well

The gap between tenancies is the best time to deal with sealant. The property is empty, the bathroom can be out of use for a day while new sealant cures, and nobody needs to be told to keep the shower off.

At each changeover, check:

Bath, shower tray and basin sealant for mould, gaps and lifting
Kitchen sealant along the worktop and around the sink
Grout in the shower area for cracks or missing sections
The bath panel and the ceiling below for staining
Window and door mastic for cracks and gaps

During a tenancy

Ask tenants to report leaks, mould and gaps in sealant as soon as they notice them, and make it easy to do so. Include a line on sealant in your move-in pack, explaining how to ventilate, wipe the joints and report problems.

Check inventory photos at the start and end of the tenancy. Clear photos of the sealant help separate normal wear from damage. Our aftercare guide is a useful thing to share with tenants.

Portfolios and blocks

If you manage several properties, it is worth reviewing sealant as part of planned maintenance rather than waiting for complaints. Our commercial sealant service covers landlords’ portfolios as well as offices and hotels, with work planned property by property. Single flats and houses are covered by our bathroom and kitchen resealing service.

Every job carries our one-year guarantee.

Quick answers

Is resealing a landlord or tenant job?

Baths, basins and other sanitary fittings are listed as landlord repairs in England. Tenants should report problems promptly and use the bathroom sensibly.

Can I just reseal over the old sealant before a new tenant moves in?

No. New silicone won’t bond to old silicone. The old bead needs to be cut out first or it will lift.

Do tenants need to be out while you reseal?

They don’t need to leave, but the bath or shower must stay dry for the cure time, usually around 24 hours.

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More advice

This guide is general information about sealant work. It isn’t legal, fire-safety or structural advice; for those, speak to a qualified professional.