It’s a scenario familiar to renters and property owners all across Singapore. The aircon starts leaking, or stops blowing cold air. A tense WhatsApp message is sent, and the dreaded question follows: “So… who is going to pay for this?”
In our hot and humid climate, air-conditioning isn’t a luxury; it’s an essential service. This makes disputes over its maintenance and repair one of the most frequent sources of friction between landlords and tenants. Questions about quarterly servicing, gas top-ups, and major breakdowns can quickly sour a good tenancy relationship.
At Vedha, our technicians are often called into the middle of these disputes. We understand the confusion and frustration on both sides. The good news is, there are clear answers. The solution isn’t found in a complex government law, but in a single document that you both signed. This guide will show you exactly what your Tenancy Agreement says, so you can end the arguments and solve the problem.
The Golden Rule: Your Tenancy Agreement is the Law
Here’s the most important thing to understand: there is no specific Singaporean law that dictates who pays for aircon servicing in a private rental. Instead, this responsibility is governed by the legally binding contract you both signed—the Tenancy Agreement (TA).
For any disagreement, the TA is the first and final point of reference. Think of it as the specific “law” that applies only to your tenancy. While every TA can be negotiated, most property agents in Singapore use a template provided by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), which has created an “unofficial standard” for key clauses.
So, the real question is never “What does the law say?” It’s “What does my signed Tenancy Agreement say?”. Let’s decode the critical clauses.
Decoding the Key Clauses in Your TA
1. The Quarterly Servicing Clause This is the tenant’s primary responsibility. Standard TAs almost universally state that the tenant must engage a contractor for aircon servicing at least once every three months, at their own expense.
- Why it Matters: For the landlord, this ensures their expensive appliance is maintained. For the tenant, it’s a critical liability shield. If a major breakdown occurs and the tenant
cannot produce a complete set of quarterly servicing receipts, the landlord can argue the damage was caused by “tenant negligence,” shifting the full, often costly, repair bill onto the tenant. - Analogy: Your servicing receipts are your legal shield. They are your proof that you did your part.
2. The Minor Repair Clause (The “$150 Rule”) This clause states that the tenant is responsible for repair costs up to a certain threshold (typically S150 to S300), with the landlord paying the excess amount. For example, if the threshold is S200 and are pair costs S250, the tenant pays S200 and the landlord pays S50.
- The Common Trap: Be wary of the technician’s “transport” or “call-out” fee. Some landlords may argue that the threshold only applies to the cost of parts and labour, not the total invoice. Clarify this before signing the TA to avoid future disputes.
3. “Fair Wear and Tear” vs. “Tenant Negligence” This is the fundamental dividing line for major repairs.
- Fair Wear and Tear: This refers to the natural deterioration of an item over time from normal use. A 10-year-old compressor failing is a classic example. This is the landlord’s responsibility.
- Tenant Negligence: This is damage caused by misuse or a failure to maintain the item. If that same compressor fails because the filters were never cleaned and it was forced to overheat for years, that’s negligence. This is the tenant’s responsibility.
Your servicing history is the number one piece of evidence used to distinguish between the two.
Real-World Scenarios: Who Pays When…
…My aircon isn’t cold? (The Gas Top-up) If a routine top-up is needed during quarterly servicing, it’s a maintenance cost for the tenant. However, if your aircon needs gas top-ups every few months, it’s a clear sign of a leak. A leak is a defect, not a maintenance issue. Repairing that leak is the landlord’s responsibility under “fair wear and tear”.
…My aircon is leaking water? By far, the most common cause is a clogged drainage pipe from accumulated dust and slime. Since this is a result of dirt build-up, clearing it is a maintenance issue that falls to the tenant. In rarer cases where the leak is from a cracked part, it’s a defect the landlord must fix.
…The compressor is dead? This is the ultimate test of the “wear and tear vs. negligence” principle. If the tenant has a perfect record of quarterly servicing receipts, the failure of a major part is considered fair wear and tear, and the landlord must pay for the S$1,000+ repair or replacement. If there are no receipts, the tenant could be held liable for the entire cost due to negligence.
The Vedha Solution: Your Neutral Expert
Stuck in a landlord-tenant dispute over a faulty aircon? Arguing without facts only makes things worse. You need a clear, expert diagnosis to determine the exact cause of the problem.
At Vedha Construction, we provide transparent solutions for both parties.
- For Tenants: Protect yourself from liability. Our affordable Aircon Maintenance Contracts ensure you meet your TA obligations and provide the official receipts you need to safeguard your security deposit.
- For Landlords: When a major component fails, our BCA-certified team provides expert Compressor Repair and Aircon Installation, ensuring all work is fully compliant with national regulations.
- For Disputes: Our core Aircon Repair & Diagnosis service gives you a definitive answer. Our technicians will identify the root cause of the problem and provide a transparent quote, clarifying who is responsible for the cost under the terms of your TA.
Stop the argument and get a real solution.
Call Vedha Construction at 96540044 today for an expert diagnosis or to set up a maintenance plan that protects you.
We specialize in Aircon installation, repair, and service. We have all type & model of recon compressor, full set & fancoil. Our technicians are highly proficient in their respective field and repairs and fixes aircon of various brands.
