In a residential lease, the maintenance and repairs necessary to keep the leased premises in a livable (habitable) and safe condition are generally the responsibility of the landlord—unless damages are caused by the negligence or intentional conduct of the tenant or the tenant’s guests. In that case the landlord will likely maintain the right to make the repairs and charge the tenant for the repairs, and not allow the tenant or the tenant’s contractors to make the repairs.

The written lease agreement should address the responsibility for maintenance and repairs and will often prohibit or limit the tenant’s ability to do any maintenance or make any repairs—at least without the written permission of the landlord. One exception may be the tenant’s right to make repairs in an emergency situation to prevent harm to the property or its occupants.

In some limited circumstances a landlord may allow the tenant to maintain and make repairs to the leased premises when the landlord is confident in the tenant's ability to properly maintain the property and make the necessary repairs.

In Michigan, the law generally places the responsibility for maintenance and repairs necessary to keep a residential rental property habitable and safe on the landlord. This is in line with the implied warranty of habitability, which requires landlords to maintain rental properties in a condition fit for tenants to live safely and healthily. If damages are caused by the tenant's negligence or intentional acts, or those of their guests, the landlord retains the right to repair the damage and bill the tenant for the costs. Tenants are typically not allowed to make repairs themselves, as most lease agreements restrict or prohibit such actions without the landlord's written consent. However, tenants may have the right to make emergency repairs to prevent immediate harm to the property or its occupants. In certain cases, a landlord might permit a tenant to perform maintenance and repairs if they trust the tenant's ability to do so competently. It's important for both landlords and tenants to review their lease agreements to understand the specific terms regarding maintenance and repair responsibilities.