Home Rental Question

[forestcadee]

Hi, I am a bit confused on the clause of wear & tear for repair in the tenancy agreement. Can someone advise if those damage of furniture like sofa or bed frames are under landlord or tenant ? Thanks.

[sharonkhoo]

@forestcadee Who is responsible would depend on what it says in the tenancy contract. It also depends on whether the damage is very slight or severe. If slight, and would probably have happened simply because of the age of the item, it should be considered “wear and tear”, e.g. light scuff marks on a wooden table, or signs of rubbing on leather upholstery. If it is severe enough that it is actual damage, e.g. an obvious scratch on wood, or a tear in the leather, then that would not be regarded as “wear and tear”.

[forestcadee]

@slmkhoo
The clause as follows:

To replace electric light bulbs, tubes and be responsible for all minor repair and replacement of parts and other expendable items at its own expense up to Dollars One Hundred ($100.00) per item. ln the event such expenditure exceeds $100.00, the Tenant shall bear the first $100.00 and any excess thereof shall be borne by the Landlord. For repairs above $100.00, Landlord’s approval must be obtained prior to such repair and the Landlord reserye the right to engage his contractor. For avoidance of doubt this clause does not apply io any expenses incuned by the Landlod in repair and replacement of parts mentioned in clause 3 of thls Agreement, save for the provisos of the said clause.

What if the bed frame or sofa is broken? Is it that landlord need to replace the items solely or the tenant will bear the first $100?

Thanks

[zac's mum]

@forestcadee if the bedframe or sofa is broken, it is not due to “wear & tear”; it has been damaged by the tenant.

This clause is meant to cover things like replacement of light bulbs, and once for my hdb, the water heater stopped working. In that case, the quoted repair cost exceeded the agreed amount, hence I (landlord) decided I would simply buy a replacment heater to be installed at the tenant’s convenience. I bear the full cost & can claim tax relief on that.

Your agreement seems to be missing an important part, which mine has: “Any cost of repair and/or replacement exceeding $300 shall be borne by the Landlord for the excess portion only, provided that the damage is not due to negligence or damage on the part of the tenant.”

[forestcadee]

@zac-s-mum Will take note of this and be added to the agreement. Based on the clause, what do you understand the term ‘expendable items’ mean? Does it not included of all fixtures? Thanks.

[sharonkhoo]

@forestcadee “Expendable” generally means things that are usually thrown away, and often not of high value - like lightbulbs, batteries, etc.

[Zack690]

@slmkhoo Thank you for the clarification; that makes sense! Then, I suppose, larger things like furniture would not be considered “expendable.”