Landlord obligations

At a basic level, a landlord is expected to deliver the unit in the condition promised, often documented through an inventory list at handover, and to keep structural elements and major fittings such as plumbing, wiring, and built in appliances in proper working order, unless the tenancy agreement specifically assigns certain items or minor repairs to the tenant instead.

Some obligations sit with ownership itself rather than the tenancy agreement. Property tax and MCST or conservancy charges on the unit are the owner's responsibility, not the tenant's, regardless of what the rental arrangement says. The landlord is also expected not to interfere with the tenant's lawful use and possession of the unit for the duration of the lease, generally described as the covenant of quiet enjoyment.

Much of the practical detail is set by what the tenancy agreement actually says rather than left to assumption. A landlord who wants the tenant to bear the cost of minor repairs below a certain amount usually needs to write that condition into the agreement explicitly for it to be clearly enforceable.

What commonly goes wrong is an unclear division of who pays for what when something breaks, particularly where the agreement is silent on a specific appliance or fitting, landlords entering the unit without proper notice, slow responses to genuine maintenance issues that affect liveability, or deposit deductions at the end of the lease that are delayed or not properly explained.

Check what the tenancy agreement specifically assigns to the landlord versus the tenant for repairs and maintenance before a problem arises, consider whether landlord insurance is in place, and keep a written record of maintenance requests and responses in case a dispute ever needs to go to the Small Claims Tribunals.

Because a good share of these obligations are shaped by what the tenancy agreement actually says, the clearest way to avoid disputes is to be explicit rather than relying on general expectation. Naming which party covers minor repairs below a set amount, how quickly the landlord will respond to a maintenance request, and how disputes will be handled if they arise, all reduce the room for disagreement later in the tenancy.

What to check

• What the tenancy agreement assigns to landlord versus tenant for repairs and maintenance
• Whether landlord insurance is in place for the property and its fittings
• A prompt, documented response process for genuine maintenance requests
• Property tax and MCST or conservancy charges kept current, since these remain the owner's responsibility
• A written record of maintenance requests and responses in case of a later dispute

Winfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L31010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, CPF Board, or MAS before making any decision.