Who Pays for Repairs in a Rental Property?

The short answer

The landlord pays for major maintenance and structural repairs to the rental property. This includes issues with the heating, leaks in the roof, or broken windows. As a tenant, you pay for minor maintenance such as replacing light bulbs, clearing minor blockages, or refilling silicone sealant. The limit is approximately €150 per repair. Anything more expensive is usually considered major maintenance and is the landlord's responsibility.

What does the law say?

The Dutch Civil Code regulates the division of maintenance costs between landlord and tenant. The landlord must deliver and maintain the property in good condition during the rental period. The tenant must carefully use the property and carry out minor maintenance. The distinction is made based on the nature and cost of the repair.

What should you pay attention to?

Always check your rental contract for specific maintenance agreements. Some landlords try to pass on more costs to the tenant than legally allowed. Document damage and defects well with photos and dates. Always report problems immediately to your landlord to prevent further damage.

Example from practice

Sandra's central heating boiler breaks down in the winter. The repair technician finds that the boiler is defective due to wear and tear. The repair costs €400. Since this is major maintenance that has occurred due to normal wear and tear, the landlord must pay these costs. However, if Sandra had damaged the thermostat knobs herself through careless use, she would be responsible. So it's not just about the amount, but also the cause of the defect.

What can you do?

Follow these steps for repairs to your rental property.