With the signed contract and the keys delivered, the rent is underway and the challenge of coexistence between landlord and tenant begins. For there to be a good relationship between both parties, each one must be aware and assume the expenses that correspond to them, but it is not always clear how they are distributed, causing most confrontations. In this post, we explain how the expenses of a rental apartment are usually divided.
The contract is in charge:
In the first place, it is recommended to read the lease contract well before signing, what you put there is what counts, the law imposes less and fewer rules, but it is applied in what does not specify the contract.
Unless otherwise stated in the rental agreement, we recommend that you allocate the costs accordingly:
- Landlord: pay the IBI, (still, beware of the old rent contracts, in these cases, the owner of the house can pass on the amount of this tax to the tenant, as well as the garbage tax. cases, the tenant can be evicted if he does not pay, as ruled by the Supreme Court itself) the service charge, garbage tax, home insurance and maintenance insurance (boiler ...), breakdowns, repairs or damage greater than 150 euros due to habitual wear or to the passage of time, unless it is proven that the person causing the repair has been the tenant. For example, breakdowns of the washing machine or the boiler. Only get rid of this when it is a minimum fault (a pilot, a filter ...), breakdowns and repairs so that the house meets the requirements for their habitability, as provided by the Law of Urban Leases, (LAU). This includes repairs consisting of the repair, renovation or partial replacement of any of the components of water and drainage systems, maintenance and conservation of the roof of the house, floors, walls and chimneys. In addition to maintenance and troubleshooting of the electrical installation, pipes and heating, replacement and repair of the thermos, replacement and repair of breakdowns in household appliances, except if it is minor breakdowns (a pilot, a filter ...) or pests derived from the wrong operation of the facilities (pipes, etc ...).
- Tenant: pay everything that can be measured with individual meters (water, electricity, gas, telephone ...), the Property Transfer Tax (ITP), Expenses derived from the usual maintenance of the home, small repairs, breakdowns or repairs that imply expenses less than 150 euros for the daily use of the floor: change a light bulb, fix the bathroom chain, the blind strap, etc.
In the case of breakdown or damage to the home:
- Tenant: pays the damages that he or his visits cause to the rented dwelling (for example a glass). For these unforeseen events it is good to hire a special insurance for tenants. It also takes care of the small expenses for the daily use of the floor: change a light bulb or the door of the washing machine, fix the bathroom chain or the blind strap ...
- Landlord: pays the breakdowns of the washing machine, the boiler, etc. Only get rid of this when it is a minimum fault (a pilot, a filter ...) or if it is shown that the fault was the tenant.
All kinds of issues can arise around the responsibilities of the rental. Some more clear (the tenant will be responsible if a complaint comes by noise), others more difficult (a flood may be the tenant's fault because the water was left open, the pipes of the floor or the community ... the tenant would be responsible in the first case, the owner in the second and the community in the third).
To prevent the relationship between landlords and tenants from spoiling, it is advisable to negotiate without fighting. In addition, it is recommended:
- Landlord: you will sleep more calmly if you hire a good insurance. Being stingy with small things can cost you dearly: nowadays a tenant who is a good payer is a treasure. Remember that every house has necessary repairs that you must take care of.
- Tenant: if the owner sees that you pay punctually and take care of your home, you will be much more receptive when negotiating so that your rent does not rise.
Source: ocu.org
We have been tenants in a private villa for 12 years, have paid for usual small repairs. My husband cleans and maintains the pool in keeping clean and topping sand in filter etc. From the beginning of tenancy the timer on the pool has never worked as a timer, my husband turns off and on, when doing pool and leaves on for 6 hours a day, then turns off
Due to ill health the pool has been a little neglected, so we have had a recommended pool person, come to give a price to drain and clean the pool thoroughly & pool set up, we are happy to pay for this.
On inspection the pool man advised the pump had gone and dangerous and needs to be replaced, the cost is €350 for pump, I am awaiting price for timer as just remembered today, so is pricing that, as he says that must work so the pump is efficient, to have all the work done including filter service if necessary is €890.
Are we responsible for paying for the pump? I certainly do not want to pay for the timer, as it's never worked since commencing tenancy, even though we have mentioned on numerous occasions to no avail.
Basically is the pump price our responsibility or Landlord?
Obviously the tenant pays for consumption of utilities (water, electricity, etc.) but I receive separate bills for over 100e each from the landlord for the 'annual maintenance'/service charge of the gas and water meters. Are those costs typically paid by the tenant also?