University of Virginia Library

Who's Responsible?

another full term's lease. While
there are a few exceptions to
this, a very few, it is best s a
rule to make sure that one is
out on time.

Another question
concerning new tenants often
is that of who is responsible for
repairs. It is best for the tenant
to look at the lease first before
he himself attempts to make
any repairs. It is also advisable
when going over the lease to
have a specific clause about
responsibility for repairs.

If there is not a specific
clause covering this then the
tenant is liable for needed
repairs in order to keep the
apartment from being
damaged. For example, this
would include replacing a
broken window to keep out
the weather.

A question which is always
of concern is how a tenant can
protect himself against
someone who is hurt on the
premises. The tenant should
consider renter's insurance in
this case and he may also
attempt to get the landlord's
agreement to repair any
potentially dangerous defects
on the premises. Other types of
renter's insurance include
comprehensive policies
covering damage to personal
property caused by fire,
vandalism, and theft which
tenants might want to
consider.