Who Pays For Repairs? Bahrain Maintenance Laws

Maintenance disputes are the number one cause of friction in the Bahraini rental market. Law No. (27) of 2014 with respect to the Leasing of Premises (effective 7 February 2015) establishes an explicit baseline that protects the property's integrity.

The Legal Division of Duties

Bahraini law dictates a strict separation based on severity and nature:

Landlord Responsibilities

You are statutorily required under Article 11 and Article 12 of Law No. (27) of 2014 to maintain the leased premises in a condition "fit for the purpose." This covers:

• Structural integrity (roofs, walls, foundations).
• Main water systems and sewage infrastructure.
• Centralized electrical wiring components.
• Main centralized air conditioning systems (unless contracted strictly as an unfurnished 'tenant-liability' contract).

Tenant Responsibilities

Under Article 15, tenants are fully responsible for the ordinary, daily maintenance of the apartment resulting from standard usage:

• Replacing consumables (lightbulbs, tap washers, AC filters).
• Unclogging drains blocked by their direct usage.
• Repairing localized damages (broken tiles from dropping items, stained paint).

When drafting your lease, always include an explicit Maintenance Clause that specifically flags where the responsibility of the AC units lies, as this is the most frequently litigated appliance in the Gulf.

How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, maintenance obligations deadlines, and mandatory inspection reports - making it easy to stay compliant with Bahrain regulations.

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