Landlords are generally responsible for maintaining common areas such as hallways or grounds. In terms of repairs, landlords should handle large maintenance or structural problems such as an old plumbing system. Additionally, if an item was in need of repair prior to a tenant moving in, the landlord is responsible for fixing it. An exception to this rule might be if the tenant accepts the premises with the problems.
The landlord`s responsibilities are defined in more detail in local ordinances and codes available from your local government. Many of these ordinances specify time periods within which certain repairs must be made. The ordinances may also allow a tenant to pay for the repairs themselves, and deduct that amount from the rent. This can only be done after written notice is given to the landlord asking that repairs be made, and a specified amount of time passes without the repairs being done.
