When renting a property in Jordan, monthly rent is not the only cost tenants should consider. Maintenance, repairs, cleaning, appliances, plumbing, electrical systems, and property damage can all affect the overall cost of renting. This makes it important for both landlords and tenants to understand maintenance costs rental Jordan and clarify responsibilities before signing a lease.
Under Jordanian law, maintenance responsibility is not simply divided equally between the landlord and tenant. The responsibility can depend on the nature of the problem, the rental agreement, customary practice, and whether the damage resulted from the tenant's negligence or misuse. The Jordanian Civil Code provides specific rules concerning the maintenance of leased properties.
The Basic Rule for Maintenance Costs in Jordan
A useful starting point is to distinguish between property-related defects and tenant-caused damage.
Article 681 of the Jordanian Civil Code requires the landlord to repair defects that affect the tenant's intended use of the property. In certain circumstances, if the landlord fails to make a required repair, the law provides mechanisms for the tenant to seek authorization to make the repair and recover the customary cost. For certain simple or urgent repairs, additional conditions apply.
On the other hand, Article 692 states that the tenant is responsible for damage or loss resulting from negligence or misuse. Article 695 also places on the tenant repairs agreed upon in the contract or those that customary practice assigns to the tenant, as well as ordinary cleaning and removal of accumulated dirt or waste.
Therefore, reviewing the Jordan rental contract carefully is essential.
Landlord Responsibilities: What Repairs Should the Owner Handle?
Landlords generally have responsibilities relating to defects that prevent or substantially affect the intended use of the rented property.
For example, a serious property defect that existed independently of the tenant's actions may require the landlord's attention. Article 681 specifically addresses defects that affect the intended benefit of the leased property. The Civil Code also addresses defects that prevent or substantially reduce the tenant's ability to use the property.
Before renting an apartment, tenants should therefore ask:
Which major repairs does the landlord cover?
Who handles significant plumbing problems?
Who is responsible for defects in the property's essential systems?
How should urgent maintenance problems be reported?
How quickly should the landlord respond?
These questions are particularly important when comparing an apartment rent Amman option with other properties.
Tenant Responsibilities: What Costs May Fall on the Renter?
Article 692 states that the tenant must take reasonable care of the rented property and may be responsible for damage caused by negligence or unauthorized conduct. Article 693 similarly provides that tenants should use the property within the purpose and limits agreed in the contract or established by customary use.
Article 695 is particularly important because it states that tenants are responsible for repairs agreed upon in the contract or those that custom assigns to them. It also places ordinary cleaning responsibilities on the tenant during the rental period.
This means tenants should not assume that every maintenance issue automatically becomes the landlord's responsibility.
10 Maintenance Costs to Clarify Before Renting
Before signing a lease agreement Jordan, both parties should discuss at least these ten categories:
Plumbing repairs – Clarify responsibility for leaks, blocked drains, and damaged fixtures.
Electrical problems – Determine who handles faults and damaged electrical components.
Air-conditioning maintenance – Establish whether routine servicing and major repairs are treated differently.
Water heaters – Clarify responsibility for servicing, replacement, and damage.
Appliance repairs – Especially important for a furnished apartment.
Painting and wall damage – Distinguish ordinary deterioration from tenant-caused damage.
Locks and doors – Establish responsibility for broken or damaged hardware.
Water leaks – Identify who handles leaks originating from the building or tenant use.
Pest control – Clarify whether treatment is included in the rental arrangement.
Common-area maintenance – Ask whether building-related costs are handled by the landlord, building management, or another party.
Putting these details in writing can reduce disputes later.
What Does Jordan Tenancy Law Say About Maintenance?
The Jordanian Civil Code contains several provisions relevant to landlord and tenant responsibilities.
Article 681 addresses the landlord's obligation to repair defects affecting the intended use of the property. Article 682 addresses repairs or improvements made by a tenant with the landlord's permission. Articles 692 and 693 address tenant care, negligence, misuse, and damage. Article 694 restricts unauthorized alterations, while Article 695 addresses agreed or customary repairs and cleaning.
The law also states that tenants should not prevent landlords from carrying out necessary maintenance work. Where such work substantially interferes with the tenant's use, specific legal consequences can arise.
Because individual leases can contain additional terms, tenants should review the actual contract rather than relying solely on general rules.
What Happens When a Landlord Does Not Make a Necessary Repair?
Suppose a tenant discovers a significant defect that affects the use of an apartment. What should happen next?
The first practical step is to notify the landlord promptly and keep evidence of the communication. Depending on the circumstances, the Jordanian Civil Code provides remedies when a landlord fails to address a defect covered by the landlord's obligations.
Article 681 states that a tenant may, in specified circumstances, seek court authorization to make the repair and recover the customary expense. It also addresses certain simple or urgent repairs where the landlord has been asked to act but delays or cannot be contacted.
Tenants should therefore avoid automatically deducting repair expenses from rent without checking the applicable legal and contractual requirements.
How to Write Maintenance Responsibilities Into a Jordan Lease
A well-prepared Jordan rental contract should make maintenance responsibilities easy to understand.
Consider specifying:
Which repairs belong to the landlord.
Which minor repairs belong to the tenant.
How emergencies should be reported.
Who approves non-emergency repairs.
How repair invoices are documented.
What happens when a tenant causes damage.
How the property's condition will be recorded at move-in.
What condition is expected when the tenant moves out.
Article 700 also requires the tenant to return the rented property at the end of the lease in the condition in which it was received, subject to the applicable legal rules.
Maintenance Costs for Apartments in Amman
Maintenance should be considered alongside the overall cost and condition of a property. When comparing Amman rental prices, look beyond the advertised monthly rent.
A newer apartment may have different maintenance considerations from an older property. Similarly, a 2 bedroom apartment Amman renter may need to consider additional appliances, bathrooms, air-conditioning units, and other facilities.
Location can also influence the type and condition of properties available. Renters comparing 2nd Circle Amman, 4th Circle Amman, or Jabal Amman rentals should examine the actual condition of each property rather than comparing rent alone.
For renters seeking an affordable area in Amman, maintenance responsibilities can be an important part of determining the property's overall value.
Furnished Apartment Jordan: Who Pays for Appliance Repairs?
A furnished apartment Jordan rental can involve additional maintenance questions because the property may include refrigerators, washing machines, ovens, televisions, air-conditioning units, and other appliances.
Before signing a furnished rental agreement, ask which appliances are included, their existing condition, and who is responsible if an appliance stops working.
The distinction between ordinary equipment failure and damage caused by misuse can be particularly important. A clear inventory and move-in inspection can help establish the condition of furniture and appliances at the beginning of the tenancy.
Furnished vs. Unfurnished Rental: What Should You Consider?
With a furnished vs unfurnished rental, maintenance responsibilities can differ because furnished properties contain more items that may require repair or replacement.
An unfurnished apartment Amman may leave tenants responsible for bringing their own appliances and furniture, while a furnished property generally includes more landlord-provided items.
Neither option is automatically suitable for every renter. The important question is whether the lease clearly identifies what is included and who is responsible for maintaining it.
Rental Deposit Jordan and Maintenance Damage
A rental deposit Jordan arrangement should also be understood before signing.
Tenants should document the property's condition at move-in with written notes and photographs where appropriate. This can help distinguish pre-existing defects from damage occurring during the tenancy.
The lease should explain how the security deposit Amman is handled and under what circumstances deductions may be made. Clear documentation can help both parties avoid disagreements at the end of the rental period.
Renting in Jordan: Documents and Costs to Check
Before renting, review the rental documents Jordan requirements and make sure the lease identifies:
Property and landlord details
Rental period
Rent and payment arrangements
Deposit terms
Maintenance responsibilities
Utility responsibilities
Permitted property use
Move-in condition
Termination requirements
Expats searching for Jordan rental for expats should pay particular attention to documentation and contractual obligations.
For people seeking a monthly rental Amman, furnished short stay Amman, or temporary apartment Jordan, the same principle applies: understand the terms before making payment or moving into the property.
How Sakinni Can Help You Find a Suitable Rental in Jordan
Finding the right rental involves more than comparing advertised rent. Property condition, location, furnishing, lease terms, and maintenance responsibilities can all affect the overall rental experience.
Sakinni can help renters explore available property options while they consider factors such as location, property type, and suitability for their needs. When evaluating a property, renters should still review the final lease agreement Jordan carefully and clarify maintenance responsibilities before signing.
10 Questions to Ask a Landlord Before Signing a Lease
Before committing to a rental property, ask:
Who pays for major plumbing repairs?
Who handles electrical faults?
Who maintains air-conditioning units?
Who pays for appliance repairs?
What counts as tenant-caused damage?
Who handles painting and minor repairs?
How should emergency repairs be reported?
Can the tenant arrange urgent repairs if the landlord cannot be reached?
How is the rental deposit handled?
Which maintenance responsibilities are specifically written into the contract?
These questions can make the rental arrangement clearer for everyone involved.
FAQs About Maintenance Costs Rental Jordan
Who usually pays for major defects in a Jordan rental?
The Jordanian Civil Code places responsibility on the landlord for defects affecting the intended use of the rented property, subject to the applicable legal and contractual circumstances.
Is the tenant responsible for damage they cause?
Generally, the tenant can be responsible for damage resulting from negligence, misuse, or exceeding the permitted use of the property.
Can a rental contract assign maintenance responsibilities to the tenant?
Yes. Article 695 recognizes repairs agreed upon in the contract or assigned to the tenant by customary practice.
Should maintenance responsibilities be written into the lease?
Yes. Clearly documenting responsibilities can reduce uncertainty and help both landlord and tenant understand their obligations.
Conclusion
Understanding maintenance costs rental Jordan is an important part of choosing a rental property. The Jordanian Civil Code distinguishes between landlord obligations concerning defects affecting the property's intended use and tenant obligations relating to agreed or customary repairs, cleaning, negligence, and misuse.
Whether you are searching for an apartment in Amman, a furnished property, a monthly rental, or a home in areas such as Jabal Amman, review the property's condition and the rental contract carefully. Clear maintenance clauses, proper documentation, and communication before problems occur can help create a more transparent rental relationship.
