When renting out your property, proper maintenance is essential for keeping it in peak condition. There are many tasks a landlord must take to ensure that property is safe from ensuring you have the proper maintenance procedures in place to keeping everything compliant with relevant habitability legislation.
Fortunately, you can take some straightforward steps to ensure that every rental unit on your portfolio is well looked after while generating maximum income for your investment. Keep on reading to learn how to properly maintain your rental units.
A Landlord’s Maintenance Responsibilities
Landlords and tenants share responsibility for maintaining rental property. The landlord must keep the premises in a habitable condition by following all health and safety codes. Part of their duties includes making necessary repairs, protecting against pests and rodents, providing adequate heating and ventilation systems, keeping common areas clean, and more.
As a landlord, maintaining a rental property is an important responsibility that can help ensure the satisfaction and safety of your tenants and protect your investment. What’s more, when the property is well-maintained it could encourage tenants to rent long-term.
Here is a list of some key maintenance responsibilities that landlords should be aware of:
Keep the Property in Good Condition
Landlords are legally required to provide tenants with a safe, livable space and keep the property in operating order. This includes keeping all mechanical systems such as plumbing, electrical, and heating/cooling systems functioning smoothly.
Additionally, landlords must make repairs or replacements for any damages that may occur due to normal wear and tear. Another essential thing landlord should do is provide a trash receptacle. The number of tenants you have in your building will determine how many you’ll need to provide.
Adhere to Rental Regulations
Landlords must also abide by all applicable local and state laws regarding rental properties. The list includes:
- Securing a valid license
- Following safety regulations
- Collecting deposits and rent promptly
- Providing written notice before making any changes to the lease agreement.
Regular Inspections
Landlords should conduct regular inspections of the property to ensure it is in good condition and up to code. Checking smoke detectors, ensuring there are no safety hazards, and verifying that all appliances are working properly can save you from future headaches.
Keep Up with Landscaping
Landlords are also responsible for regularly maintaining the exterior of the rental property. The responsibilities include:
- Mowing the lawn
- Cleaning up debris from storms or other damage
- Trimming shrubs and trees
- Ensuring that all walkways are safe and accessible.
Pest Control
Landlords must also make sure that rental properties remain free of pests like rodents or insects. Regular inspections for signs of infestation and taking steps to prevent pests from entering the property are essential responsibilities.
If you spot signs of a possible infestation take immediate action and ensure that tenants are kept in the loop while the issue is resolved.
What Are Tenants’ Rental Property Maintenance Responsibilities?
Tenants are responsible for keeping their units clean and safe. This includes regularly cleaning the space by vacuuming and dusting it, disposing of garbage properly, and reporting any repairs or maintenance issues to the landlord immediately.
Tenants should also avoid causing damage to the property by following all applicable rules, such as not smoking indoors or having pets without permission. Here are more detailed examples of tenants’ responsibilities:
Ensuring the Rental Property’s in Safe Condition
Tenants should keep the rental property clean and free from hazards like broken glass or other debris that could cause injury or damage. They can also replace light bulbs and smoke detector batteries as necessary.
Tenants must also ensure that any potential safety hazards are reported to the landlord immediately. What’s more, tenants have a responsibility to report any issues to their landlords promptly.
Keeping the Rental Clean and Free from Sanitary Hazards
Tenants should also ensure that the rental property is free from sanitary hazards such as mold or standing water. If there are any signs of these issues, tenants must immediately alert their landlords to address the issue. Additionally, tenants should ensure that the property is free from clutter and debris, as this can lead to the growth of mold or other sanitary problems.
Complying with All Building Codes and Regulations
Tenants must adhere to all relevant local building codes and regulations regarding the upkeep of their rental property. This may include maintaining smoke detectors and ensuring that appliances are correctly functioning. What’s more, they must respect occupancy limits and ensure that all safety exits aren’t blocked.
Notifying the Landlord if the Property’s Appliances Are Damaged
Tenants are responsible for notifying the landlord immediately if any of the rental property’s appliances, such as refrigerators and stoves, break down or malfunction. Tenants should also take responsibility for reporting any other issues with the property that could potentially lead to severe damage, such as plumbing problems or electric problems.
Refraining from Damaging the Property in Any Way
Tenants should take reasonable steps to take care of the rental property and not cause any unnecessary or negligible damage to it. This includes refraining from smoking inside, keeping common areas clean and tidy, ensuring that all necessary repairs are reported promptly, and following the landlord’s instructions about maintenance or preventive measures.
If the tenant causes any excessive damage, the cost of repairing it will likely be taken out of their security deposit.
Bottom Line
Maintaining a rental property can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Still, it’s necessary to ensure that tenants are provided with the best possible living conditions and that landlords can maximize their return on investment.
By setting up an effective maintenance program, enforcing regulations, keeping good records of all repairs and inspections, and staying informed about the latest laws and regulations, landlords can ensure that their rental property is well maintained.
If you would like help managing your rental properties, reach out to the experts at Keyrenter Property Management North Dallas today!