Owner vs tenant: what are the obligations of each one?

A blocked sink, a hedge to be cut or worse, a boiler that gives up the ghost! When it comes to renting, it's not always easy to know who, owner or tenant, has to bear the costs linked to the use of the property. To help you, we’re providing a brief summary of the obligations of each one. 

A good tenant looks after his home properly!

The Civil Code states that every tenant must make sure his home is respected and properly maintained. So that means if the property is not cleaned regularly, he has to bear the cost of minor repairs. Whether these are linked to daily use or caused by an error or negligence on his part. This include broken windows, blocked sinks or chimneys that need sweeping, for instance. In addition to these costs, the tenant also has an obligation to inform the owner if a problem arises or repair work is needed, for example if damp appears in the walls or the roof tiles are broken. If he fails to do so, he may be held liable for any damage that occurs subsequently. 

A good owner takes care of the structure of his building 

For his part, the owner is responsible for keeping the building in good condition. In other words, he has to bear all the costs of major repairs linked to the building. This includes replacing the window frames or repairing the lift, for instance. He is also responsible for major maintenance work due, among other things, to disrepair, normal wear and tear or cases of force majeure. So it is up to the owner to pay for the replacement of a worn tap or ensuring the compliance of the electrical installation. 

And who bears the charges? 

The charges should also be divided up. For instance, the tenant has to cover the everyday expenses linked to the property, such as the water and electricity costs, heating costs, home insurance, etc. via the monthly provision. The owner, meanwhile, takes on the cost of insuring the building and major repair work.

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