Something will break during your tenancy. It might be a leaking tap, a faulty aircon, or a washing machine that stops mid-cycle. Knowing what to do — and more importantly, who is responsible — can save you money, avoid disputes, and keep your relationship with your landlord professional. Here's how to handle it properly.
The general rule in Singapore is straightforward: landlords are responsible for structural issues and major appliances; tenants are responsible for day-to-day upkeep and minor wear. But the line isn't always clear, which is why your Tenancy Agreement matters.
| Issue | Typically Responsible |
|---|---|
| Roof / ceiling leaks | Landlord |
| Structural walls, flooring damage | Landlord |
| Built-in appliance breakdown (oven, water heater, washer) | Landlord |
| Aircon unit breakdown (not due to neglect) | Landlord |
| Aircon servicing (quarterly) | Tenant |
| Aircon breakdown due to missed servicing | Tenant |
| Light bulb replacement | Tenant |
| Clogged drains (minor) | Tenant |
| Clogged pipes (structural / recurring) | Landlord |
| Locks and keys (normal wear) | Depends on TA |
| Pest control (initial infestation pre-tenancy) | Landlord |
| Pest control (arising during tenancy) | Usually Tenant |
| Damage caused by tenant negligence | Tenant |
| Repainting at end of tenancy (fair wear) | Landlord |
How you report an issue matters as much as reporting it at all. A well-documented report protects you and gets things fixed faster.
As soon as you notice an issue, document it visually. Date-stamped photos are your evidence. Capture the full context (e.g., the whole ceiling, not just the stain) and close-up detail. If it's something like a leaking pipe, take a video of water actively dripping.
Send a message to your landlord or property agent via WhatsApp, email, or SMS — something with a timestamp and a paper trail. Do not rely on a phone call alone. A written message creates a record of when you reported the issue, which protects you if there's any dispute later about delays or damage worsening.
State: what the problem is, where exactly it is in the unit, when you first noticed it, and whether it's getting worse. Attach your photos. A message like "The kitchen ceiling has a water stain that appeared yesterday and is expanding — looks like a leak from above. Photos attached." is far more useful than "There's a problem with the ceiling."
For non-urgent issues, allow 2–3 working days for a response. For urgent issues (no water, flooding, no power), follow up within hours. If you get no response after reasonable follow-up, contact your property agent to escalate. Keep a log of all follow-up attempts.
Once the repair is done, confirm in writing that it has been completed and that you're satisfied with the outcome. If a contractor visits the unit, it's reasonable to ask for a brief report on what was done. Keep all repair records for the duration of your tenancy.
Some situations can't wait — a major water leak, total loss of power, gas leak, or a broken lock leaving you unable to secure the unit. Here's what to do:
This is rare, but it happens. If you've followed up in writing multiple times and your landlord is unresponsive for something clearly their responsibility:
If you rented through an agent, contact them to mediate. As a licensed professional, the agent has a duty to both parties and can escalate diplomatically.
If informal follow-up fails, send a formal letter (email is fine) stating the issue, the date it was first reported, all follow-up attempts made, and a reasonable deadline for resolution (e.g., 7 days for non-urgent issues).
In extreme cases, where a landlord has been given reasonable notice and still fails to act on something clearly their responsibility, you may be able to arrange and pay for the repair yourself and deduct the cost from your next rent payment. Only do this with a clear paper trail and as an absolute last resort. Consult a lawyer or the Singapore Mediation Centre first if the amount is significant.
For unresolved tenancy disputes, the Singapore Mediation Centre offers mediation services. This is faster and cheaper than litigation. More information at mediation.com.sg.
A well-managed property with a responsive landlord starts with finding the right unit. We assess property condition and landlord reputation during viewings — before you sign anything.