Renting: which home maintenance is the tenant's job and which is the landlord's?

As a general rule, the tenant looks after day-to-day upkeep and cleanliness, and the landlord pays for the structure, the major systems (plumbing, wiring, heating) and repairs caused by age or normal wear. That is a general pattern, not a legal rule: what applies to you depends on your country, region and above all on what your lease says. This article explains how to find out where the line is in your home and which routine tasks protect you from disputes.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. If you have a disagreement, read your lease and local tenancy rules or ask a tenants' organisation or a lawyer.

Step 1: read what your lease says

Look for the sections on repairs, maintenance and the condition of the property. Leases often spell out things like who changes light bulbs and filters, who handles pest control, who services the boiler or the air conditioner, and who is responsible for the garden or balcony. Write down the answers for your own home, because they are specific to you. Two clauses deserve a second look: any list of tasks assigned to the tenant, and what must be returned in what condition at the end.

Step 2: document the home on day one

Take dated photos or a short video of every room, including the inside of the oven, the bathroom grout, the walls, floors and windows, and note anything that already looks damaged. Send it to the landlord or agent by email so there is a record. Add the date the smoke alarms were last tested if you know it. This single hour is the best protection of your deposit when you leave.

Step 3: the routine tasks that usually fall to the tenant

Again, check your lease, but these are the usual candidates because they depend on how you use the home:

• Air conditioner filters. Wash or vacuum them every one to two months in the season you use them (see how often to clean AC filters). A clogged filter reduces cooling, raises the energy bill and can leave a smell. Servicing the unit itself usually belongs to whoever owns it; ask.
• Kitchen and bathroom drains. Remove hair and residue monthly and avoid pouring grease. A clog caused by use is commonly the tenant's cost.
• Bathroom extractor fan. Wipe the cover and remove the dust every six months. Switch the fan off at the wall first. Poor extraction leads to condensation and mould, which are often disputed.
• Smoke alarm test. Press the test button every six months and change the battery if it chirps. In many places the landlord must install the alarms, and the tenant tests them. Check your local rules.
• Balcony or terrace drains. Clear leaves every three months so that water does not overflow into the flat below.
• Ventilation and mould. Air the home daily, keep furniture a few centimetres off exterior walls and wipe condensation from windows. Report mould as soon as you see it, in writing.

What generally is the landlord's job

Unless your lease and local law say otherwise, expect the landlord to handle:

• The structure: roof, walls, window frames and damp that comes from the building.
• Heating, hot water and boiler faults and their legally required servicing, plumbing behind the walls and electrical wiring.
• Appliances they provided, when they fail from age.
• Faults that make the home unsafe to live in.

Do not repair these systems yourself. Gas, electrical and structural work must be done by qualified professionals, and an unauthorised repair can void your deposit protection or your insurance. Report the problem in writing, with photos and the date, and keep the reply.

How to report a problem so it gets fixed

1. Use the channel your lease names, or email, so there is a written record.
2. Describe what, where and since when, and attach a photo.
3. Say whether it is urgent (leak, no heating in winter, no hot water, a gas smell, electrical sparks).
4. Keep every message and note any reply. If nothing happens, follow up and then check the options your local tenant rules allow.

For a gas smell or sparks, do not wait for the landlord: leave the area and call the emergency services or your gas company.

Make the tenant routine automatic

Tenants who keep a light, regular routine rarely have deposit surprises. The tasks above take a few minutes each, but they come at different intervals, which is why they get forgotten. HouseKiper has an apartment maintenance checklist and sends reminders for the ones that apply to your home; you choose which tasks to add, so you can skip the ones that belong to your landlord. See also the full home maintenance checklist.

Who pays for repairs in a rental, the tenant or the landlord?

It depends on your lease and local law. In general, tenants cover minor repairs and damage they cause, and landlords cover structure, major systems and wear from age. Read your lease and report problems in writing.

Am I responsible for replacing smoke alarm batteries as a tenant?

In many places the landlord installs the alarms and the tenant tests them and changes batteries. Rules vary, so check your lease and local regulations.

Can I be charged for mould in my rented home?

It depends on the cause. Mould from a building defect such as a leak is usually the landlord's responsibility; mould from poor ventilation or daily habits may be disputed. Ventilate, wipe condensation, and report it in writing as soon as it appears.

What should I do when I move in to protect my deposit?

Take dated photos or video of every room and any existing damage, send them to the landlord or agent, and keep a copy. It is the best evidence at the end of the tenancy.