Introduction
When renting out a property in Delhi NCR—whether in high-rise apartments in Gurugram, gated societies in Noida, or builder floors in West Delhi—maintenance charges often become a point of confusion or dispute between landlords and tenants.
Should the tenant pay society maintenance?
What about repairs, plumbing, painting, or AC servicing?
In this blog, Property Aaj explains how to legally and fairly handle maintenance charges in rent agreements, what to include, and how to avoid disputes in 2025.
What Are Maintenance Charges?
Maintenance charges can be broadly classified into two types:
1. Recurring Society Maintenance Fees
Paid to the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) or builder
Covers:
Security
Cleaning
Lift operations
Power backup
Clubhouse/gym use
Usually ₹2–₹6 per sq. ft/month in Delhi NCR
2. Property-Specific Maintenance
Repairs and upkeep inside the flat/unit
Includes:
Plumbing, electrical issues
Paint touch-ups
Appliance servicing (AC, geyser, RO)
Furniture fixes
Who Should Pay Maintenance—Landlord or Tenant?
By Default (Legal Practice):
However, this must be clearly mentioned in the rent agreement to avoid confusion.
How to Mention Maintenance Charges in the Rent Agreement
Use this sample clause in your Property Aaj-generated rent agreement:
“The tenant shall be responsible for paying the monthly society maintenance charges directly to the RWA/builder. The landlord shall bear expenses related to structural damages or major repairs exceeding ₹1,000. Minor repair costs shall be borne by the tenant.”
You can also:
Specify exact maintenance fee amount
Mention if maintenance is included in rent or separate
Attach a copy of society maintenance bill format to agreement
Common Scenarios and How to Handle Them
1. High-Rise Apartment in Noida (Society Bills Extra)
Solution: Mention that the tenant will directly pay monthly charges via the society portal or cash.
2. Builder Floor in East Delhi (No RWA)
Solution: Clarify that no society fee applies, but internal repairs are the tenant's responsibility during the lease.
3. Tenant Requests Painting or AC Servicing
Solution: If it's regular wear-and-tear, the tenant pays. If it's end-of-lease or pre-move-in, the landlord typically covers.
4. Shared Property with Multiple Tenants
Solution: Divide maintenance equally and mention in agreement clause or add an annexure with cost breakdown.
Locality-Specific Notes in Delhi NCR
How Property Aaj Helps
Auto-generates custom rent agreement clauses
Allows itemized cost splits in digital lease forms
Enables automated rent + maintenance reminders
Stores all past agreements and payment records
Avoid last-minute arguments or tenant confusion. Let Property Aaj help you get it right from Day 1.
Conclusion
When handling maintenance charges in rent agreements, clarity, fairness, and a proper legal drafting process are critical. Just as you standardize a lease; whether that lease is flats in Noida, villas in Gurgaon, or builder floors in Delhi, all parties should ensure:
All charges (including maintenance) are clearly set out in the agreement
You follow market norms
All parties agree to the charges before moving into the property
Use Property Aaj as your resource to manage your rental documents, reminders, and to manage your rental relationships confidently.
FAQs
1. Can I charge maintenance on rent?
Yes. You can charge an “all-inclusive rent” or you can separately, just talk about it in the agreement.
2. Who pays maintenance when the property is empty?
The landlord is liable for maintenance until someone occupies the property.
3. If the tenant refuses to pay society fees, what can I do?
You have the option to knock it off the security deposit and, after warning, send a legal notice before we engage our landlord legally.
4. Can the maintenance amount change mid-tenancy?
Yes if the society increases maintenance fees. Just include this clause in the agreement.
5. Can Property Aaj help show me a fair maintenance cost?
Yes. Property Aaj will provide you with the standard range based on the property's address and type and show you how to split the cost fairly.
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