Maintenance & Repairs in Aragon Rentals

A leading cause of friction in any Aragon rental (Zaragoza, Huesca, Teruel) stems from resolving "who pays for what" when an appliance breaks or a pipe bursts. The Spanish Urban Leases Act (LAU) explicitly draws the line between structural habitability and daily wear and tear in Article 21.

Landlord Duties (Arrendador)

The undeniable premise of the law is that the owner is obligated to carry out all necessary repairs to keep the dwelling in a habitable condition suitable for its agreed use. Crucially, the owner cannot raise the rent simply because they were forced to front the cost of these unavoidable repairs.

What Must the Landlord Cover?

• Repairs, replacement, or overhaul of the structural skeleton (roofs, walls, floorboards).
• Fixing or completely replacing main plumbing, drains, and the primary sewage network.
• Maintaining the property's core electrical wiring and the complete gas installation.
• Fixing or replacing the main electric water heater, primary gas boiler, or permanent heating/AC systems.
• Resolving dampness (humedades) originating from structural defects, the community pipe network, or exterior facades.

Exceptions to the Landlord's Burden

The owner is judicially and materially exonerated from repairing if:

1. The damage was expressly caused by the tenant's verifiable negligence, misuse, or intentional destruction (e.g., breaking a faucet through sheer force).
2. The property suffers total destruction due to unquestionable force majeure (an unprovoked fire or earthquake).
3. The repair is legally categorized as a "small repair" necessitated by ordinary, primary use.

Tenant Duties (Arrendatario)

The occupant of the dwelling has an unrenounceable duty to act diligently, return the home in the state they received it, and urgently notify the landlord of sudden incidents to minimize further damage.

Under the protection of Article 21.4 of the LAU, "small repairs required by the ordinary wear and tear of using the dwelling" fall strictly on the tenant.

Examples of "Small Repairs" (Spanish Case Law):

• Changing blown light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, or minor electrical fuses.
• Fixing a dripping, old faucet (replacing o-rings or washers).
• Unblocking everyday drains clogged by hair, grease, or routine hygienic waste.
• Repairing frayed cords on functionally adequate window blinds (persianas).
• Fixing busted door locks jammed from daily manipulation or replacing keys lost by the inhabitant.

Resolving Disputes and Infrastructure

To evade the dreaded "he said/she said" scenario ("that was already broken"), having an exhaustive, initial photographic report tied to the contract is an unassailable foundation. Landager provides parties with a traceable incident reporting portal, allowing landlords to accurately diagnose the nature of a breakdown without stressful visits or prolonged repair delays that border on severe habitability infractions in Aragon.

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