{"id":3597,"date":"2017-06-14T10:00:28","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T17:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/?p=3597"},"modified":"2017-06-21T07:28:18","modified_gmt":"2017-06-21T14:28:18","slug":"tenant-vs-landlord-property-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/tenant-vs-landlord-property-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"Tenant vs. Landlord Property Maintenance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"property<\/p>\n

One of the benefits of renting includes the option for tenants to defer home maintenance to the property owner or management company. \u00a0When a pipe bursts or an appliance starts acting up, a renter simply needs to put in a call to their manager or landlord to fix the problem.<\/p>\n

While it may be true that owners and managers are required to keep up with most property maintenance, there are some areas of maintenance that become the tenant’s responsibility. \u00a0Your tenants are expected to keep the property clean, dispose of trash properly, and need to avoid deliberate or negligent damage to the property.<\/p>\n

Most lease agreements require that a property should be returned in the same condition it was at the beginning of the lease term. \u00a0Upon vacating a unit, if any damage is discovered or cleaning is required to return it a habitual state the expenses can be deducted from the tenant\u2019s security deposit.<\/p>\n

Tenant Maintenance Responsibilities<\/h3>\n

While it may seem obvious to you, some renters \u00a0just don\u2019t realize their responsibilities when it comes to maintaining \u00a0their rental property. \u00a0In order to help them be successful, and to keep your property properly maintained, \u00a0go over your expectations with them during the lease signing process and consider providing a handout as part of their move-in welcome package<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Your tenants\u2019 maintenance responsibilities should be outlined in your rental agreement so they understand their contractual obligation in regards to maintaining the property properly. \u00a0Including your maintenance expectations in your lease agreement gives you leverage if your tenants damage the property and refuse to pay for repairs. \u00a0Check out this Renter Maintenance Checklist <\/a>to provide your tenants.<\/p>\n

Landlord vs. Tenant Maintenance<\/h3>\n

Most lease agreements and landlord-tenant laws follow the expectation that if a tenant causes property damage they are responsible for financing the repairs. \u00a0Common damage that could be caused by a tenant and repaired with tenant funds include broken windows, holes in the wall, or damaged carpets.<\/p>\n

Tenants are not responsible for fixing problems like leaky roofs, cracked foundations but are required to inform their property manager about maintenance issues so they can make proper repairs and prevent further damage.<\/p>\n

Waste Management<\/h3>\n

One of the most important issues to address with your tenants is waste management. While you cannot require your tenants to have spotless homes, you can include lease terms in regards to the proper way to manage garbage by making it your tenant’s responsibility to properly dispose of any trash on the premises that could contribute to pest infestations.<\/p>\n

Property maintenance can also become a shared responsibility between the landlord and tenant and specifics should be outlined in the lease agreement.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Plumbing, heating and air conditioning<\/h3>\n