It’s summertime! Garden maintenance is therefore on the agenda. But who should take care of it? Lessor or tenant? A bit of both...
I maintain, he maintains, we maintain...
It all depends on the type of maintenance. If it is light maintenance, the tenant will have to take care of it. If the work is more demanding, the owner will take care of it. For example, mowing the lawn, pulling up weeds and trimming hedges are tasks for the tenant. While the landlord will repair a fence or decking. A relatively clear distinction, then. In spite of everything, specifying what garden maintenance means in the lease contract is always useful!
Poor maintenance: a cause of conflict?
Yes! By neglecting maintenance, the tenant is in breach of his obligations, which may lead to the cancellation of the lease contract, insofar as the lack of maintenance is serious and continuous. But more often than not, the landlord will require compensation when the tenant leaves the premises.
And what about communal areas?
Communal areas must be maintained throughout the year. This obligation may be included in the lease, but most of the time, the landlord will personally use a cleaning company and re-bill the tenant these fees in the breakdown of common expenses.
Source: L’Echo