Skip to main content
Maintenance, defects & expense allocation

Landlord's Duty to Repair

A landlord's legal obligation to repair apartment defects not caused by the tenant and to maintain the property in a livable condition.

Under the law, landlords bear full responsibility for maintaining the apartment and resolving any defects that interfere with normal use, without passing costs onto the tenant. Repairs must occur within a reasonable timeframe: up to 7 days for urgent defects (such as burst main pipes or ceiling leaks) and up to 30 days for standard defects (such as a broken air conditioner or damaged window shutter).

If a landlord fails to complete repairs on time, the tenant may arrange the repair independently and charge the landlord, or seek a court order requiring the work to be done. In severe cases where a defect substantially prevents normal use of the property, the tenant may even cancel the lease if repairs are not made promptly.

What kind of apartment are you looking for?

By messaging Dorit, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The service includes automated WhatsApp apartment alerts, which you can stop anytime.

Dorit scans the web 24/7 and sends you an alert the moment a matching apartment goes live

Related terms

The information in this glossary is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. In the event of a dispute or a specific legal question, consult an attorney specializing in tenancy law.

© 2026 Dorit