Renting a house and wondering who should pay for improvement works? The law typically mandates that the property owner is responsible for such renovations, although certain improvements may be carried out by the tenant.
“It is the landlord’s responsibility to conduct all necessary maintenance work, ordinary or extraordinary, as required by current laws or the contract terms, unless otherwise specified,” according to Article 1,074 of the New Urban Lease Scheme (NRAU).
Meanwhile, “the tenant may only carry out any works when the contract permits it or when written authorization is granted by the landlord.”
Furthermore, “Unless otherwise specified, the tenant is entitled, at the end of the contract, to compensation for lawfully conducted works, in accordance with the applicable terms for improvements made by a bona fide possessor.”
Tenant Alert
DECO PROTeste clarifies that, “as a rule, in rented properties, the responsibility for maintenance work lies with the landlord and is carried out at their initiative.”
“The tenant must notify the landlord of this need and can only conduct works if included in the rental agreement, with written authorization from the landlord, or in urgent cases to prevent imminent or greater damage. Outside of these circumstances, the tenant may only make minor repairs or improvements,” the consumer protection organization states.
