Which repairs are the tenant’s responsibility and which are the landlord’s?

Light bulbs that need replacing, a leaking tap, a problem with the cornice, warped parquet flooring, or a dishwasher that breaks down?
Who must bear the cost of this maintenance or these repairs: the tenant or the landlord?

The general rule is that tenants must keep the property they rent in good condition and are responsible for minor rental repairs, as well as for damage caused by themselves or a third party. Normal wear and tear is, however, accepted. But how can you tell what is considered natural ageing?

To distinguish between wear and tear and damage, we recommend attaching a schedule of depreciation to the tenancy agreement at the start of the tenancy. It may, for example, set out the expected lifespan of the property's equipment and materials. This will avoid many disputes.

In addition to restoring items affected by wear and tear, the landlord is responsible for major repairs such as insulating or replacing the roof, as well as anything that is unusable due to a construction defect.

Now that you know more about how responsibilities are divided between tenant and landlord, if you would like to find out more about the latest developments in the property sector, we invite you to browse our blog, which is full of interesting articles. And if you would like to daydream about properties, browse our available properties.

Sources:
https://www.ipi.be/
https://www.gererseul.com/pendant-ma-location/travaux-a-la-charge-du-proprietaire-3//