What You’ll Learn in This Article

• what makes house rental different from apartment rental

• what the parties must clearly define in the contract

• which issues are often overlooked and cause disputes

• a real-life example and lawyer’s advice

Is There a Difference Between Renting a House and an Apartment?

From a legal perspective, both house and apartment leases follow the same provisions of the Civil Code. But in practice, renting a house involves broader implications:

• larger areas to maintain (garden, garage, utility room…)

• higher upkeep costs

• more frequent issues with repairs

• confusion about who pays for what

That’s why it’s crucial to clearly address these points in the lease agreement. The contract should include:

• who mows the lawn and clears snow

• who pays for garbage collection

• whether the tenant can modify the garden or structure

• which party is responsible for specific repairs

Real-Life Example

A family rented a house with a large garden. After one year, the landlord sent a billing summary: he requested back payments for garbage collection, replacement of a well pump, and repair of a fence damaged in a storm. None of these issues were covered in the contract. The family refused to pay—and the matter ended up with lawyers.

Lawyer’s Recommendation

Renting a house can be a great housing solution or investment. But due to the wider scope of use, it’s essential to cover the details. If you’re unsure what should be included in the lease agreement, reach out to me. I can prepare a tailor-made contract or review your existing one.