Maintenance of Seals & Taps: Tenant guide France

As a tenant in France, you are often responsible for routine maintenance of the home, notably bathroom seals and taps. Knowing which repairs are your responsibility, how to prevent damage and how to contact the landlord or competent services avoids disputes and unnecessary costs. This article explains, in plain language, your obligations, the landlord's responsibilities under the law, the steps to report a leak or faulty equipment, and the official documents to consult. You will also find a step-by-step guide to report a problem and protect your rights, as well as useful official resources for procedures in France.

Which works are the tenant's responsibility?

The tenant is responsible for routine maintenance and minor rental repairs, such as replacing seals, simple unclogging or replacing small tap parts (taps, seals, cartridges). These obligations arise from the law and the lease contract; they aim to keep the dwelling in good condition without involving major works that fall to the landlord.^[1]

Common examples

• Replace a damaged silicone seal around the bathtub.
• Change a faulty mixer cartridge.
• Unclog a drain by simple cleaning.

When must the landlord intervene

The owner must carry out major repairs, ensure compliance and habitability of the dwelling: heating, electrical installations, structural plumbing and defects that compromise safety or health. If a defect goes beyond routine maintenance or presents a risk, the landlord must take charge of the repair and call a professional.

Reporting an issue

• Send a registered letter or a signed message describing the fault (date, photos, effects).
• Contact the landlord or agency to arrange an intervention.
• Keep evidence (photos, exchanges, invoices) in case of dispute.

What to do in case of a leak or broken tap?

For a leak, shut off the water if necessary, report immediately to the landlord, and request a prompt intervention. If the landlord delays, you may have urgent work done and request reimbursement, provided you notified them and supply supporting documents. In case of disagreement, the departmental conciliation commission or the judicial court may be seized.

FAQ

Who pays to replace a seal?

The tenant pays for replacement due to normal wear; the landlord covers it if the defect comes from a construction fault or a defective installation.

Can the tenant have repairs done without the landlord's agreement?

In an emergency, yes, but keep evidence and invoices and inform the landlord; reimbursement will depend on the circumstances.

Which official documents should be consulted?

Consult tenancy law, information pages and model lease/inventory forms available on the official sites cited below.

How-To

1. Document the issue: photos, date and precise description of the defect.
2. Inform the landlord in writing (email or registered letter) attaching the evidence.
3. If necessary, call a professional for urgent repair and keep the quote and invoice.
4. Request reimbursement from the landlord by providing supporting documents and respecting deadlines.
5. In case of refusal, consider conciliation via the departmental commission or bringing the case before the judicial court.

Key takeaways

• The tenant handles routine maintenance and minor repairs.
• The landlord is responsible for major repairs and habitability.
• Always keep evidence, communications and invoices in case of dispute.

Help and Support

• Practical guide to rental repairs (Service-public)
• Law n° 89-462 of July 6, 1989 (Legifrance)
• Departmental Conciliation Commission (Service-public)

1. [1] Legifrance - Law n° 89-462 of July 6, 1989
2. [2] Service-public - Maintenance and repairs