Who is responsible for major repairs in a rented house?

Generally, the landlord is responsible for major structural repairs, while the tenant handles minor day-to-day maintenance — unless the rental agreement specifies otherwise. Major repairs that affect the habitability of the property are typically the owner's obligation.

Key points

• Major and structural repairs (roof, walls, plumbing, wiring) are usually the landlord's responsibility.
• Minor repairs and routine upkeep are typically the tenant's responsibility.
• The rental agreement can allocate repair duties, so check its specific terms.
• If a landlord neglects essential repairs, the tenant may (per applicable law) get them done and adjust the cost against rent, following due process.
• The property must remain reasonably habitable throughout the tenancy.

Relevant law

Repair obligations are addressed under Section 108 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, which sets out the default rights and liabilities of landlords and tenants. The Model Tenancy Act, 2021 (where adopted by Chandigarh) also allocates repair responsibilities between owner and tenant.

What you can do

• Review your rental agreement for any specific repair clauses.
• Notify the landlord in writing about the required major repairs.
• If the landlord refuses, follow the legal process before adjusting repair costs against rent.
• Consult a tenancy lawyer in Chandigarh if repairs are neglected and habitability is affected.