Can a Landlord Charge Me for Repairs in a Lease? Repair Deductibles & Habitability Rules
Some rental leases include a "repair deductible" forcing tenants to pay the first $100 to $250 of every maintenance call—even when an old appliance breaks on its own.
- 01.Standard residential leases hold tenants responsible for repairs only when the damage is caused by tenant misuse, neglect, or guests.
- 02.A growing red flag in single-family and apartment leases is the "per-call repair deductible" ($100–$250) applied even to aging plumbing, HVAC, or appliances.
- 03.Before signing, ask to add "unless caused by normal wear and tear or pre-existing equipment age" to any maintenance fee clause.
"Tenant shall be responsible for the first $200.00 of any maintenance or repair invoice for plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, or provided kitchen appliances during the Lease Term, regardless of cause."
Every time an aging heater, pipe, or dishwasher breaks through no fault of yours, this clause says you have to pay the first $200 of the repair bill.
Most US states recognize an implied warranty of habitability requiring landlords to maintain essential heating, plumbing, hot water, and structural systems. Shifting habitability repairs onto tenants may conflict with state landlord-tenant statutes.
"I am happy to pay for any damage caused by misuse or negligence, but can we update this clause so routine wear-and-tear repairs to HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and included appliances are covered by Landlord?"
When Is a Tenant Fairly Responsible for Repairs?
It is completely standard for a lease to state that if you or your guests flush foreign objects down a toilet, break a window screen, or damage a garbage disposal by putting non-food items inside, you pay the repair bill.
What is NOT standard is a clause that makes the tenant pay a flat co-pay or deductible (often $100 to $250) every time a 12-year-old water heater, air conditioner, or refrigerator needs a technician.
3 Maintenance Red Flags to Check in Your Lease PDF
When reviewing the Maintenance and Repairs section of a rental agreement, watch out for three specific cost-shifting provisions:
- •Per-Incident Repair Deductibles: Requiring you to pay the first $100–$250 of any service call regardless of fault.
- •"As-Is" Appliance Disclaimers: Stating that the refrigerator, washer, or dryer is provided "as a courtesy only" and that the landlord will not repair or replace it if it stops working.
- •Pest & Bedbug Liability Presumptions: Automatically billing the tenant for pest extermination even in multi-unit buildings where pests travel between apartments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What if the lease says appliances are not guaranteed by the landlord?
Some landlords list washers, dryers, or microwaves as "non-guaranteed courtesy items." If those appliances were part of why you chose the apartment, ask to include them in the landlord’s standard repair obligations before signing.
Can a landlord charge a fee just to submit a maintenance request?
Some leases include a $25–$50 "service call fee" if a technician determines nothing was broken. Make sure the lease waives any call fee whenever a legitimate maintenance issue exists.