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 New Hampshire, landlords are generally responsible for maintaining and repairing rental properties to ensure they are habitable and safe, as per RSA 48-A:14 of the New Hampshire state statutes. This includes fixing structural issues, plumbing, heating, and electrical problems, among others. If a tenant or their guests cause damage due to negligence or intentional conduct, the landlord can repair the damage and bill the tenant for the cost. Tenants are typically not allowed to make repairs or alterations without the landlord's written consent, as outlined in the lease agreement. However, in emergency situations where immediate repairs are necessary to prevent harm to the property or its occupants, tenants may have the right to act. Some landlords may permit a tenant to perform maintenance or repairs if they trust the tenant's ability to do so competently, but this is less common and would also be stipulated in the lease agreement.