Tenant Repair Responsibility Guide

How to understand repair clauses before they become expensive.

Repair clauses explain who pays when something breaks. A clear lease separates routine tenant responsibilities from major landlord responsibilities. A bad clause may try to shift too much cost to the tenant.

Typical Tenant Responsibilities

• Keeping the unit reasonably clean
• Reporting maintenance issues promptly
• Paying for damage caused by misuse or negligence
• Minor upkeep specifically listed in the lease

Typical Landlord Responsibilities

• Structural repairs
• Major plumbing and electrical systems
• Heating, water, and essential habitability issues
• Repairs required by law or building safety standards

Warning Signs

• The tenant is responsible for all repairs
• The lease does not define maintenance categories
• The tenant must pay for structural or system failures
• The lease gives the landlord broad discretion to bill the tenant

What to Clarify Before Signing

• Who pays for appliance repair
• Who handles plumbing or electrical faults
• How emergency repair requests should be made
• Whether approval is needed before hiring a contractor