Repairs to a rented flat – what does the owner pay for?
Are you offering a flat for rent? One of your basic obligations is to keep the flat in a condition suitable for living throughout the tenancy. This means that the flat must be in the condition specified in the agreement. But what if nothing has been agreed with the tenant in the agreement? Who is responsible for which repairs?
The lease agreement and handover report – the essential building blocks
The handover report should form part of every lease agreement. This document can save you a great deal of trouble when the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out. The handover report should list all equipment handed over to the tenant for use, ideally with photographs documenting its condition. Equipment and its condition can also be specified directly in the lease agreement. The agreement can also clarify who will pay for repairs and maintenance.
Routine maintenance and minor repairs
The Civil Code defines routine maintenance as keeping the flat in good condition, including cleaning and caring for its equipment. The tenant is responsible for routine maintenance. The tenant must also keep installations in working order and regularly check that everything is functioning properly. If something breaks, they must report it to the landlord. Minor repairs should be specified in the lease agreement. You can define them either by the type of repair or by their cost. This allows you to clearly determine which repairs are paid for by the tenant and which by you.
What counts as minor repairs
Minor repairs usually include repairs to floors, replacement of parts of windows and doors, repairs to electrical equipment, plumbing repairs and more. It is important that these repairs are carried out in accordance with applicable regulations and standards.
Repairs based on cost
For minor repairs, based on their cost, the tenant is required to pay for repairs according to the total floor area of the flat and any other associated spaces (PLEASE NOTE – the area of terraces, cellars and balconies is counted at only half).
The calculation formula is simple:
m2 x 100 CZK
This means that if you have a flat with an area of 83m2 and the repairs exceed 8300 CZK, they can no longer be considered minor. If a repair is not listed in § 4 of the Government Regulation, it may be considered minor only if the cost of one repair does not exceed 1000 CZK. If there are several repairs, who pays for them is determined by their total cost.
Landlord obligations
If a defect occurs in your flat or its equipment which is not part of routine maintenance or minor repairs, the tenant is obliged to inform you of the defect immediately. It is your duty to rectify the defect as soon as possible. If you fail to do so, the tenant may arrange the repair at their own expense and seek reimbursement of the repair costs from you or a reduction in rent.