WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS – THE TENANT OR THE LANDLORD? SEE 10 COMMON PROBLEMS

15.10.2026

At home, you’ll inevitably come across situations where something breaks, stops working or needs servicing. In these situations, it’s not always clear whether you should sort it out yourself or report the fault.

Tenants can easily get help from the property management company with various domestic faults.

In rented accommodation, tenants often get to enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle, as most faults and their repairs are the landlord’s responsibility. In this article, we set out the responses from Lahden Talot and Lahden Opiskelijakodit to ten common fault scenarios and explain what is the tenant’s responsibility, what is the landlord’s responsibility, and when it is best to contact the maintenance team.

Kosti Myllyneva, the property manager for Lahden Talot and Lahden Opiskelijakodit, deals with the tricky fault reports raised by residents.

1. The cooker hood light isn’t working. Who’s going to buy and fit a new bulb?

Kosti replies: It is the tenant’s responsibility to change the bulb if it is a standard replaceable bulb. However, if fitting a new bulb does not solve the problem, the fault may lie with the cooker hood itself. In that case, you should report the fault so that the maintenance can investigate the situation. Furthermore, if the light is not working when you move into the flat, it is the landlord’s responsibility to have it replaced.

2. The shower floor drain isn’t clearing properly. Who is responsible for cleaning it?

Kosti replies: It is the tenant’s responsibility to clean the floor drain regularly. Hair and other dirt can easily build up in the drain, slowing down the flow of water. If the drain does not drain properly despite being cleaned, please report the fault.

The landlord is responsible for the batteries in the smoke alarm.

3. The smoke alarm starts beeping. Who’s going to change the battery?

Kosti replies: The landlord is responsible for the purchase and maintenance of smoke alarms. If the smoke alarm in your flat was fitted by Lahden Talot, you must not change the battery yourself. If the smoke alarm starts beeping or there is any other fault with it, please report the fault and the maintenance will take care of it. If, in addition to the smoke alarms installed by Lahden Talot, you have purchased your own smoke alarms, you are responsible for replacing the batteries in these alarms and for their maintenance.

You may hang pictures and other wall hangings on the walls of your rented home, provided that any large holes are filled in when you move out.

4. A hole was made in the wall of the flat whilst hanging a picture. Who will repair the hole?

Kosti replies: Hanging a picture and the minor marks this causes are considered normal wear and tear and do not require any action on the part of the tenant. If a larger hole is made in the wall, it should be properly repaired. Before you start drilling into the walls, always make sure you use suitable fixings.

5. The kitchen tap is dripping. Who’s going to fix it?

Kosti replies: The tap is the landlord’s responsibility, so you don’t need to try and fix it yourself. Report the fault, and the maintenance will look into it. It’s worth reporting even a seemingly minor leak straight away, as a constant drip increases water consumption or, in the worst case, could cause damage.

What can a tenant do if their home is cold, even though the radiator thermostats are turned up to the maximum?

6. It’s cold in the flat. What can the tenant do?

Kosti replies: Firstly, you should check that there is no furniture or curtains in front of the radiators and that the thermostat is set to the desired temperature. The replacement air vents for the ventilation system should also be open. If the flat still feels too cold, please report the fault. Tenants do not need to purchase additional heaters or otherwise adjust the heating system.

7. The hand shower in the loo breaks. Who’s going to get a new one?

Kosti replies: If a hand-held shower is part of the flat’s fittings, the landlord is usually responsible for any damage to it. Submit a fault report, and the maintenance team will assess the situation and, if necessary, replace the damaged part.

8. The curtain rail has come away from the wall. Who’s going to fix it?

Kosti replies: If it is a fixed fitting in the flat and it comes loose during normal use, the matter is the landlord’s responsibility. If the tenant has fitted the curtain rail themselves, the responsibility generally lies with the tenant. In unclear situations, it is advisable to submit a fault report and let the maintenance assess the situation.

What can a tenant do if only lukewarm water comes out of the tap?

9. Only cool water comes out of the tap/shower. What can the tenant do?

Kosti replies: If hot water isn’t coming through as normal, you should report the fault. Before doing so, you can check whether the problem affects just one tap or all the taps in the flat. It may be a fault with the building’s or flat’s plumbing, which is the responsibility of the maintenance to sort out.

10. A tenant would like a dishwasher in their flat. Can they fit it themselves?

Kosti replies: There are a few important conditions regarding the installation of a dishwasher: the installation is carried out at the resident’s own expense and under their own responsibility, and a drip tray must be fitted beneath the dishwasher. Water and drainage connections may only be carried out by an authorised company or a plumbing and heating engineer. You should therefore not attempt to install them yourself.

The tenant also needs a receipt for the installation of the machine for their home insurance, in case any damage should occur. It is advisable to check the tightness of the hoses and connections annually. When moving out, the dishwasher must be removed at the tenant’s expense, and the flat must be restored to the same condition as it was before the machine was installed.