You own a property that you don't use and have decided to rent it out. Suddenly, you realize you don't know how the division of various costs works. What costs are the tenant's responsibility, and what costs are the owner's responsibility? Sometimes things break. It's logical that they need to be repaired, but who pays the bill? And who pays for maintenance? This article helps answer these questions.
Tenant or Landlord?
It depends on the type of maintenance or the nature of the repair. Generally, the landlord is responsible for major maintenance, and the tenant is responsible for all minor or daily maintenance in the property. Additionally, the tenant is responsible for any damage (excluding normal wear and tear) caused during the rental period.
5 Basic Rules for Maintenance and Repairs
There are five basic rules that both tenants and landlords must adhere to:
- In principle, small repairs are the tenant's responsibility. Think of changing light bulbs/batteries, tightening loose door handles, etc. Major repairs and major maintenance are the landlord's responsibility.
- Tenants should be able to easily carry out small repairs themselves, and they should incur minimal costs. If not, the repair is still the landlord's responsibility.
- Built-in kitchen appliances and annual maintenance of the central heating system are usually considered immovable property belonging to the rental property. These appliances are rented out with the property by the landlord. Therefore, the repair of a broken built-in refrigerator, for example, is the landlord's responsibility.
- If the tenant has caused the damage themselves, they must report it. The landlord and tenant must then decide who will carry out the repair and how it will be settled.
- The tenant must give the landlord access to the rental property so that the landlord can carry out maintenance or repairs.
Decree on Minor Repairs
Who gets the bill is determined by the government in the "Decree on Minor Repairs" of April 8, 2003. Of course HouseScout knows all the ins and outs of this decree. So if you prefer no hassle and want to outsource the management of your rental property? HouseScout has many years of experience with rental and property management. Contact us for a free introductory meeting.