Moving into a rented home is exciting, but it also raises practical questions: who fixes a dripping tap, who pays when the AC stops, and how do you avoid being blamed for damage you did not cause? This general guide covers common practice and simple habits that protect you. Responsibilities differ from one lease to another, so always check your own contract first.
Start with your lease contract
Your lease is the main reference for who handles what. Look for clauses about maintenance, repairs, appliances and how faults should be reported. If something is unclear, ask the owner or property manager to clarify it in writing before you move in.
Responsibilities often shared in practice
Arrangements vary, but in many leases the split looks roughly like this:
What tenants usually take care of
Day-to-day care: keeping the unit clean, cleaning AC filters, using fixtures and appliances properly, avoiding blocked drains, and reporting faults promptly.
What owners usually take care of
Major systems and wear that is not caused by the tenant: main plumbing, electrical installations, structural issues, and equipment that reaches the end of its life.
How a condition report protects your rights
A condition report is a dated, photo-documented record of the unit at handover: walls, floors, doors, bathrooms, kitchen, appliances and systems. When you move out, a second report is compared with the first. This makes it much easier to separate existing issues and normal wear from new damage, so you are not held responsible for problems that were there before you.
What to do when a fault appears
Act quickly but calmly. If there is a risk, such as water near electrical sockets, switch off the water or power first if you can do so safely. Then send a written message with photos to the owner or property manager, describing the problem and when it started, and keep a copy.
Tenant checklist
- Read the maintenance clauses in your lease before signing.
- Ask for a photo-documented condition report at handover and keep a copy.
- Take your own dated photos of any existing marks or faults.
- Report faults in writing, with photos, as soon as you notice them.
- Clean AC filters regularly and avoid blocking drains.
- Allow access for scheduled maintenance visits agreed with the owner.
- Ask for a closing condition report before handing back the keys.
Maintenance support for tenants
DAL International serves tenants as well as owners. Our annual packages include four visits a year and photo-documented condition reports that protect the rights of both owner and tenant. Repairs are priced in advance and done only after approval and payment.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Your lease contract and the applicable regulations always take priority.
DAL International provides periodic and preventive maintenance for homes and buildings in Madinah.
Want a clear record of your unit? Check our packages or book a condition inspection visit today. Call 0530545436, Saturday to Thursday, 8 AM to 8 PM.