The rent is not always inclusive of maintenance charges. Landlords sometimes end up paying these charges themselves, and in other cases, tenants are asked to pay these charges. Maintenance charges include costs such as security charges, cleaning charges, lift charges, among others. Maintenance charges are some of the most overlooked costs when renting a property in India. Moreover, the MTA’s Second Schedule says that structural repairs, whitewashing, plumbing pipe replacement and electrical wiring are the landlord’s responsibility. As a tenant, you are liable only for smaller upkeep: tap washers, drain cleaning, geyser repairs, lock replacements and similar items.
