If the repair is yours to pay
Get more than one quote before you agree to a price, and ask the contractor to confirm where the property line and the public side begin.
Repair-request & landlord/tenant forms (LawDepot)Templates for a notice to repair, security-deposit demand, and more.
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Default rule and exceptions
A cracked window pane from age or building settling is the landlord's normal wear-and-tear cost; a window actually broken by impact damage is charged to the tenant, HUD's own tenant-damage guidance draws exactly this line.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Landlord | Owns cracked panes from age, faulty foundation, or building settling as normal wear and tear, and must provide intact windows and doors as a baseline duty. |
| Tenant | Owns actual breakage (impact damage) per HUD's tenant-damage list. |
| Exceptions | Impact/breakage damage caused by tenant or guest; Age/settling-related cracking stays with the landlord |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 27, 2026.
Cracked window pane from faulty foundation or building settling [listed under Normal Wear and Tear] ...Broken windows [listed under Tenant Damage].
Effective waterproofing and weather protection of roof and exterior walls, including unbroken windows and doors.
Common questions
Who pays for rental repair: broken window in Nationwide, US?
It depends on the specific facts. Owns cracked panes from age, faulty foundation, or building settling as normal wear and tear, and must provide intact windows and doors as a baseline duty.
Are there exceptions in Nationwide, US?
Impact/breakage damage caused by tenant or guest; Age/settling-related cracking stays with the landlord
What is this based on for Nationwide, US?
This verdict is sourced to HUD Handbook 4350.3 Rev-1, Appendix 5C (Tenant Damage versus "Normal Wear and Tear") and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- HUD Handbook 4350.3 Rev-1, Appendix 5C (Tenant Damage versus "Normal Wear and Tear")official-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- California Civil Code § 1941.1statute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
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