Many expats face this confusion when renting long-term. Rental contracts can be vague, cultural expectations vary, and it’s not always clear who’s responsible when things go wrong.
Rental agreements are often general and lack repair details
Cultural norms differ from your home country
Language barriers make communication unclear
General Rule of Thumb: Who Handles What? Here’s a simple breakdown of common maintenance issues and who typically handles them:
| Issue | Tenant Responsibility ✅ | Landlord Responsibility ✅ | Gray Area 🟡 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacing light bulbs & remote batteries | ✅ | ❌ | |
| AC filter cleaning (monthly) | ✅ | ❌ | |
| Full AC servicing / gas refill | ✅ | 🟡 If unit is overused or misused | |
| Clogged sink/toilet due to tenant use | ✅ | ❌ | |
| Drain clog from construction debris | ✅ | ||
| Shower head or faucet leaking | 🟡 Minor parts ✅ | ✅ Major replacements | |
| Mold / mildew in bathroom or bedroom | 🟡 Due to habits ✅ | ✅ If poor construction | |
| Electrical outlets not working | ✅ | ||
| Circuit breaker trips frequently | ✅ | ||
| Wi-Fi/router issues (tenant-owned) | ✅ | ❌ | |
| Cracked tiles or damaged flooring | ✅ | 🟡 If caused by tenant negligence | |
| Peeling paint / water damage on walls |
✅ If long-term wear |
✅ If caused by leaks | |
| Pest control (ants, cockroaches, etc.) | ✅ | ❌ | 🟡 Initial infestation = ✅ Landlord |
| Broken locks / door handles | 🟡 Tenant damage ✅ |
✅ Aging or faulty hardware |
|
| Broken appliances (owner-provided) | ✅ | ||
| Broken appliances (tenant’s) | ✅ | ❌ | |
| Ceiling leaks / water from upstairs unit |
✅ (Report to Building) |
||
| Air purifier / water filter maintenance | ✅ | ❌ | |
| Curtain rod fallen or blinds broken | ✅ | ❌ | 🟡 If faulty install |
AC issues: Was it old or overused? Check service logs if available
Mold: Is it poor ventilation or bad cleaning habits?
Tile cracks: Was it natural wear or furniture damage?
Take photos during handover
Get everything in writing (even on Zalo or Messenger)
Keep all repair receipts
Use a trusted handyman who knows local buildings
Try to negotiate and offer to deduct cost from rent (get it in writing)
Only fix it yourself if you’re confident it won’t affect your deposit
Call a reliable handyman to avoid making it worse
Shower head replacement
Door lock repairs
Unclogging sinks
Hanging shelves and curtain rods
Cleaning or replacing AC filters
Conclusion: Knowing who’s responsible for what saves time, money, and arguments. When in doubt: document it, communicate clearly, and fix it smart.
Need help with any of these issues? The Saigon Handyman team is just a message away — we’ve seen it all, fixed it all, and still show up in flip-flops sometimes.
📞 Contact us at 0964.708.709 (Zalo) for fast, affordable home repairs!
#SaigonHandyman #TenantTips #ExpatLivingHCMC #ApartmentFixes #WhoFixesWhat #VietnamRentalTips
