Repairs: who pays, the owner or the tenant?

The owner must keep the home in a reasonable state of repair and fit to live in. That usually covers the structure and roof, plumbing and the geyser, wiring, and things that wear out over time.

The tenant looks after the home day to day and pays for damage they, their household or visitors cause. Small things like light bulbs are usually the tenant’s job. The lease can set out the details, but it can’t remove the owner’s duty to keep the home habitable.

Fair wear and tear is the normal ageing of a home: faded paint, worn carpet in walkways, small marks on the walls. It can’t be taken from the deposit. Damage, like a broken window or burn marks, can.

In Porchlight: every repair is logged with photos, the quote and who paid, so the history is clear at move-out.