HOW TO DECIDE: FIX IT YOURSELF OR CALL YOUR LANDLORD?
When it comes to rental properties, who should handle repairs is not always clear. Legal Jargon can make it confusing, leaving tenants wondering what to do. How do you know if you should fix an issue yourself, or if you should call your landlord for help. This blogpost will help you determine whether you should get to work, or call for help.
A tenant is not expected to shoulder any unreasonable or overly burdensome cost when repairing the defects in their home. Basically, Dutch Law categorises defects into major maintenance and daily maintenance.
- Major maintenance is the responsibility of your landlord. It includes essential repairs such as heating or exterior painting.
- Daily maintenance falls under your responsibility. It includes minor repairs like a new toilet seat or a new showerhead.
If your defect falls under daily maintenance, you will have to fix it yourself. However, if it falls under major maintenance, your landlord is responsible.
WHAT FALLS UNDER DAILY MAINTENENANCE
So, what actually is “daily maintenance”? In short, it entails minor repairs and daily maintenance tasks. Typically, these are small fixes that don’t require professional expertise. Such as:
- Whitewashing and painting interior walls and ceilings
- Preparatory work
- Securing loose parts of living space i.e. stair railings, doorknobs and thresholds; as well as, electrical switches, sockets and doorbells;
- Replacement and renewal of the living spaces (without incurring significant cost) such as: taps, door knobs and locks, floor and ceiling grilles etc.
- Pest, provided that no significant costs are involved and that the presence of such pest is not a consequence of the structural situation of the living space some examples include; fleas, ants, wasps and lice.
- Garden maintenance
These are considered part of general upkeep, which tenants are expected to manage at their own expense.
WHAT FALLS UNDER MAJOR MAINTENANCE
A defect falls under major maintenance if it falls beyond your control. This could be a leaky roof, faulty wiring or a broken appliance that came with the rental. Landlords are legally obligated to ensure that your property is safe, habitable and up to code. Some of the most prominent examples of major maintenance include;
- The exterior painting of the house
- The inside painting of the house
- Major repairs or renewal of key items in the house i.e. taps, hinges, locks.
- Maintenance to the central heating system
- Kitchen equipment maintenance/repair
- Replacement or repair of furniture as a result of wear and tear (with a furnished house)
- Removal or cockroaches, pharaohs ants, longhorn beetles and woodworms.
- Repairing the roof gutters if broken
If you’re experiencing any major defects, it is very important you report this to your landlord. You should do this in writing (preferably by email) as soon as possible after discovering the damage. If the landlord is not informed and the damage expands, you may be liable for the extra damage that occurs because of not informing the landlord as soon as possible.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Understanding your rights as a tenant can save you from unexpected cost and ensure a stress-free rental experience. If you encounter an issue, take a moment to assess the situation. Is it a minor issue you can fix yourself? Or rather a significant problem that needs your landlord’s attention. Don’t forget to always report major maintenance issues in writing as soon as possible. This protects you from liability in case the damage worsens. Remember, clear communication with your landlord is key to resolving issues quickly and efficiently.
For more tips and guidance, be sure to check out our blog post ‘STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PROPERTY’ to learn how to handle repair requests and protect your rights as a tenant.
