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Which costs are for the tenant and which are for the owner
Which costs are for the tenant and which are for the owner?
When renting out an apartment, discussions often arise regarding who should pay which costs. The basic rule is simple: the tenant pays the costs related to daily use, while the owner is responsible for structural costs and investments.
Below you will find a clear overview.
Which costs are for the tenant?
The tenant pays the service charges. These are costs resulting from the normal use of the apartment and the common areas.
Typically charged to the tenant:
- Electricity, gas, and water (individual consumption)
- Communal electricity (stairwell, elevator)
- Maintenance of the elevator
- Cleaning of the hallway and stairwell
- Minor repairs and maintenance
- Maintenance of the heating boiler (periodic inspection)
- Waste disposal
- Maintenance of the garden or common areas
Minor repairs within the apartment, such as replacing light bulbs, seals, or smoke detector batteries, are also for the tenant.
Which costs are for the owner?
The owner pays the structural costs and investments associated with the property.
Typically charged to the owner:
- Property tax
- Building fire insurance (unless agreed otherwise)
- Major repairs (roof, facade, pipes)
- Replacement of appliances due to wear and tear (water heater, boiler, windows)
- Contributions to the reserve fund
- Major renovations via the Owners Association
- Repayments of a loan from the Owners Association
These are costs that do not arise from daily use, but from the ownership of the apartment.
What about communal costs in an apartment building?
The owner pays all invoices to the Owners Association. Afterwards, they can pass on the portion of the usage costs to the tenant, provided this is correctly stated in the lease agreement.
Structural contributions, such as the reserve fund or major works, always remain the responsibility of the owner.
What in case of doubt or discussion?
The distribution must be clearly included in the lease agreement. In addition, there are legal guidelines per region (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia) that determine what is considered a usage cost or an owner's cost.
A clear description of the premises and a well-drafted lease agreement prevent discussions afterwards.
What is the conclusion?
The tenant pays the costs of daily use and minor maintenance. The owner pays structural costs, taxes, and major repairs. In an apartment building, the owner first pays all fees to the Owners Association and subsequently charges the usage portion to the tenant. Clear agreements in the lease agreement are essential to avoid conflicts.
The user pays for the use. The owner pays for the ownership.
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