Who should pay for the repair of the intercom in a rented apartment

Who pays for repairs in a rented apartment?

The division of repair costs in a rented apartment implies an important distinction between regular maintenance (minor repairs), which are always paid for by the tenant, and major repairs , the costs of which are borne by the owner of the property. The same rule applies to the repair of the intercom: its repair is paid for by the owner, since it is not considered a minor repair, which must be carried out by the tenant. The exception is cases when the breakdown occurred due to careless handling or deliberate actions of the tenant.

Expenses borne by the tenant

The tenant's expenses include the costs of ordinary maintenance associated with the daily use of the property. These are repairs necessary to keep the property in good condition. The tenant is obliged to:

Repair damage caused by improper use : for example, a broken household appliance due to improper operation or a broken window due to careless handling.
Repair minor damage : Replacing a broken door handle or a loose hinge are routine maintenance tasks.

Expenses borne by the owner

The owner pays for major repairs , which include, for example, replacing electrical or plumbing systems, as well as repairing load-bearing structures. In addition, the owner bears the costs of:

Damage due to normal wear and tear or aging : This is damage caused by time rather than everyday use.
Accidental or unforeseen damage : If damage is caused by an accidental event beyond the control of the tenant, the owner is responsible for the repairs.
Deterioration not caused by the tenant : for example, damage not caused by the tenant's negligent conduct (e.g., a fire not caused by intent).

Who pays for the intercom repair?

The distinction between regular and major repairs is important for understanding who should bear the costs of repairing or replacing the intercom. If the intercom stops working due to a technical malfunction or wear and tear, the owner bears the costs of its repair or replacement.

As a rule, in the distribution of expenses between the landlord and the tenant, the repair or replacement of fixed equipment, such as an intercom or video intercom, is the responsibility of the owner.

When the tenant pays for repairs

There are exceptions, however. The tenant is responsible for repairs if:

The intercom failure occurred due to improper use or negligence . For example, if the damage was caused by an accidental impact or insufficient care that led to a preventable failure.
The tenant ignored the problem for a long time, which worsened the breakdown. In this case, the tenant is obliged to pay for repairs due to his negligence.

Who pays for the replacement of the intercom in the apartment

Another important question is who pays for the repair or replacement of the intercom installed inside the apartment: the owner or the tenant? Here, too, there is a distinction between regular and major repairs. The costs depend on the type of breakdown and are distributed as follows:

Owner's expenses : If the fault is related to an internal device (e.g. a handset, button or screen), the owner pays for the repair.
Condominium expenses : If the breakdown affects a common part of the system (for example, a button at the entrance or the entire system), the condominium pays for the repairs (the costs are divided into shares, which is borne by the apartment owner).
Vandalism : If the damage is caused by a specific person (e.g. a tenant), the culprit pays for the repairs.

Apartment for rent

In a rented apartment, the same rules apply: minor repairs are paid for by the tenant, and major repairs are paid for by the owner.

The Importance of a Lease Agreement

The above rules are general, but it is always a good idea to review your lease to see if it has any other terms for how expenses are shared. If your lease has a general clause making the tenant responsible for utility costs, the distinction between normal and major repairs still applies. Any clauses in your lease that make the tenant responsible for all costs without complying with legal restrictions may be considered invalid.