Every time you enter into any legal, contractual agreement, you are bound by the requirements laid out in the agreement that you signed. So, before you sign your next lease, make sure you understand who does what when it comes to rental property maintenance and not only what's expected of you as a tenant, but also what you can expect from your landlord. For more details, keep reading.
Grounds Maintenance
Typically, in most apartment-style dwellings, the landlord or property management company is responsible for maintaining the grounds of the property. From mowing the lawn to watering the gardens, this falls under the super or landlord's task list.
However, if you're renting from a smaller property or are in a single-dwelling home, maintaining the grounds may be your responsibility. Before you sign a lease or rental agreement with a landlord, make sure you understand who's going to shovel snow off the sidewalks, salt the walkways when there's ice, mow the lawn and take care of the outside property.
Day-to-Day Maintenance
Typically, the breakdown of day-to-day maintenance is going to come down to what you and your landlord have agreed to in your lease. Some property management firms don't even want you to change a light bulb without first calling them and having it properly expensed. Meanwhile, other landlords ask you to take on small maintenance tasks like a squeaky door and possibly even sending them the bill.
When it comes to day-to-day maintenance like small repairs, light bulbs, faucets and other minor tasks, don't assume anything. Always ask before you take on a project, and never assume that your landlord is going to foot the bill.
Appliances
If the appliances are included as part of the rental property, then they are your landlord's responsibility. That means if the stove stops working or the fridge starts blowing hot air, it's your landlord's responsibility to have it fixed or replaced.
On the flip side, if you damage the appliances through either vandalism or gross negligence, you will likely be held liable for their costs.
Cleaning
Typically, day-to-day cleaning and maintenance of the property is the tenant's responsibility. Failure to keep the property clean could mean you're responsible for paying for any subsequent damage.
Structure and Utilities
Ownership of problems with the structure of the house, delivery of utilities like heat and water, or the house is simply not up to code, belong to the landlord.
If you have concerns about the general structure and standards of a house, consult your state and local tenancy acts to find out what your landlord must provide in terms of minimum housing standards.
Courtesy Rental Choice
Grounds Maintenance
Typically, in most apartment-style dwellings, the landlord or property management company is responsible for maintaining the grounds of the property. From mowing the lawn to watering the gardens, this falls under the super or landlord's task list.
However, if you're renting from a smaller property or are in a single-dwelling home, maintaining the grounds may be your responsibility. Before you sign a lease or rental agreement with a landlord, make sure you understand who's going to shovel snow off the sidewalks, salt the walkways when there's ice, mow the lawn and take care of the outside property.
Day-to-Day Maintenance
Typically, the breakdown of day-to-day maintenance is going to come down to what you and your landlord have agreed to in your lease. Some property management firms don't even want you to change a light bulb without first calling them and having it properly expensed. Meanwhile, other landlords ask you to take on small maintenance tasks like a squeaky door and possibly even sending them the bill.
When it comes to day-to-day maintenance like small repairs, light bulbs, faucets and other minor tasks, don't assume anything. Always ask before you take on a project, and never assume that your landlord is going to foot the bill.
Appliances
If the appliances are included as part of the rental property, then they are your landlord's responsibility. That means if the stove stops working or the fridge starts blowing hot air, it's your landlord's responsibility to have it fixed or replaced.
On the flip side, if you damage the appliances through either vandalism or gross negligence, you will likely be held liable for their costs.
Cleaning
Typically, day-to-day cleaning and maintenance of the property is the tenant's responsibility. Failure to keep the property clean could mean you're responsible for paying for any subsequent damage.
Structure and Utilities
Ownership of problems with the structure of the house, delivery of utilities like heat and water, or the house is simply not up to code, belong to the landlord.
If you have concerns about the general structure and standards of a house, consult your state and local tenancy acts to find out what your landlord must provide in terms of minimum housing standards.
Courtesy Rental Choice
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