Which party usually pays for repairs in a lease agreement?

In a typical lease agreement, the landlord is usually responsible for repairs. This arrangement is based on the legal principle that landlords must maintain a habitable living environment for their tenants. It is essential for landlords to address issues such as plumbing failures, heating problems, and structural repairs to ensure the property remains safe and livable.

While specific lease agreements can vary and some might place certain repair responsibilities on tenants—especially for minor issues or damages caused by tenant action—the default assumption is that landlords take care of major repairs. This responsibility is outlined in rental laws and regulations to protect tenants and maintain housing standards.

In cases where both parties might share repair costs, or where neither party takes responsibility for repairs, these scenarios are less common and often require explicit agreements in the lease contract, which is not the standard practice.