Tenant needs help: is this lease term standard and/or fair?

[Brian Jurvelin]

Hi BP community,

I am a tenant and had a question about the following statement in my lease agreement:

"Regardless of assignment of responsibility, tenant agrees to be responsible for the first $250.00 of any repair or maintenance required on the systems of the property for the term of the lease. This deductible applies per occurrence."

Is this a common lease term?  To me, it sounds like I can get charged $250 to fix anything the landlord wants in the house.  Need a new roof, I pay $250.  Water heater fails, I pay $250.  I don't think these are common expenses a tenant is normally responsible to help cover.   I'm I right in questioning this term?  Thanks!

[Nathan Gesner]

I've seen the clause before and think it's what I would expect from a cheat, not an honest business person. They argue it is to keep temants from making frivolous maintenance requests but then they apply it towards a fridge compressor that breaks.  People rent a functional home and it is the Landlord's responsibility to maintain it unless a problem is caused by Tenant abuse or neglect.

At the same time, nobody forces you to sign it.