Who is liable for damage to a rental property?

When you rent out a house or apartment, there is always a chance of damage. This can happen because the tenant is careless with your belongings, but also because accident is simply in a small corner. As a renting party, you may also, knowingly or unknowingly, cause harm. But who exactly is liable and under what insurance would damage during the rental of a property be covered? We explain.

When is the tenant liable?

If the tenant causes damage to the property, they are only liable if the cause of the damage is attributable to them. This applies to carelessness, among other things. In some cases, you can insure this through liability insurance, so it is recommended that you purchase it from
Allianz Direct
. For example, if you accidentally make a hole in the wall, you are liable. However, this does not mean that you may not make modifications to the home. In fact, you may make changes, such as hanging a painting, as long as you can undo them once the lease or term is over without incurring high costs. If the landlord has given permission for certain modifications, the change may not be named as damage and therefore the above rules do not apply. Furthermore, you are not liable if damage is caused by force majeure, such as a tree falling on the property.

When is the landlord liable?

The letting party may also be liable for damages. This is mainly due to overdue maintenance of the home. In fact, in basic terms, the landlord is responsible for the maintenance of the property, such as repairs to the roof and in case of leaks: the non-daily maintenance of the house. The landlord is responsible for arranging a safe house at all times. Therefore, when this is not the case, the renting party cannot be held liable. It is therefore wise as a landlord to choose the
cheapest home insurance
take out, so you don’t risk high repair costs.

Disagreement between tenant and landlord

Sometimes the dishwasher may break down, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the tenant is responsible for it. Because it can be difficult to figure out who is responsible for the damage, disagreements quickly arise between the renting and leasing parties. In that case, it may be wise to ask the Rent Commission for a ruling. That way you avoid disagreement; well, nice for your living experience.