You rent an apartment or you want to rent an apartment, you own a property and you want to rent it out; here is our mini-guide as to who pays what...

            For tenants:

As a tenant, you must use the premises in such a way as to maintain them in good condition. You are liable for certain maintenance costs:

• -  Minor everyday repairs which are not due to wear and tear, faulty construction or hidden defects.

• - Minor plumbing and electrical work: shower joints and hoses, replacement of electrical switches and sockets

• -  In the event of an incident, your are the victim and it’s you that has to start the insurance claim process: you have to advise the building's manager and/or your insurance company who will advise you of the procedure to be used. The owner's insurance may be involved in the event of a force majeure due to faulty construction or water damage originating from the buildings drainage system

• - Decoration: when the lease authorises this or if you have the owners authorisation, you can conduct certain decorative work which is totally at your expense

If you decide to ask the owner to do work, the request should be made in writing.

For owners:

 As the property owner, you have a certain number of obligations:

• -  Major maintenance work: major work on the electrical system, drainage system, heating, tiling, wall coatings, doors, locks and other work to comply with standards. This work may be requested in writing by the tenant

• -  Restoring the premises to good condition after a tenant departs if the tenant has not done any real damage.