Repair responsibility can depend on the tenancy wording, the cause of the defect and whether the issue is maintenance, repair or replacement. Document the problem before deciding who should pay.
Start with the document
Check the signed tenancy agreement, inventory and any written amendments or messages that form part of the arrangement. The exact facts and wording matter.
Keep evidence
Keep relevant photos, receipts, payment records and messages. Good records make it much easier to establish what happened and what was agreed.
Resolve it clearly
Communicate the issue and proposed solution clearly. If both sides agree to change an existing arrangement, record that agreement in writing.
Is a broken washer wear and tear or misuse?
A washing machine fails after years of use and both sides blame each other.
What to do next
- Document the symptoms.
- Ask a technician to assess the cause.
- Apply the actual repair clause.
JC’s practical takeaway: Age alone does not prove misuse.
Who pays when the kitchen sink is blocked?
A kitchen sink drains slowly after move-in. The landlord suspects food waste; the tenant says the pipework was already partially blocked.
- Record when the problem began and whether it was noted at handover.
- Check the specific blocked-drain and minor-repair clauses; these may allocate responsibility differently.
- Ask a plumber to identify the likely cause, including misuse, existing blockage or a pipe defect.
- Agree approval and cost allocation in writing before non-emergency work.
JC’s practical takeaway: A blockage is not automatically the tenant’s fault. The cause, the evidence and the signed agreement matter.
General Singapore rental information only; not legal advice. Rules and individual contracts can change. Check the latest official guidance where relevant.