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Your rental property requires regular maintenance and the process requires a lot of time and money. As a landlord, you want to ensure that your property stays in good condition. In doing so, you will also be keeping your tenants happy. Responsive and timely maintenance can also extend the life of your property. When it comes to rental property maintenance, it is important for you to know who manages what. 

We, at Belmares Properties, would like to shed light on the topic to make it easy for you.

Your Maintenance Responsibilities as a Landlord

As a landlord, you must maintain your rental property in accordance with the landlord tenant law. The general requirements are the same across most states. So the things you will be required to maintain the following things or elements:

i. Follow Building Codes

You are required to provide a healthy and safe environment for your tenants. You have to ensure that the codes are followed in all the areas including the following:

• Number of tenants that can live in your property
• Electrical work
• Plumbing work
• Placement of smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
• Pest problems
• Asbestos and lead paint
• Mold
• Structural integrity

ii. Conducting Repairs

You must make essential repairs to maintain your property in a habitable condition. If the neglect of a tenant has caused a repair, you can charge them for the costs.

iii. Maintaining Common Areas

Common areas must be kept clean and with proper lighting and this is the landlord’s responsibility. It is also important to ensure safety in these areas. 

• The stairs should have a stable railing
• The flooring should not have any tripping hazard

iv. Ensuring Vital Services are in Working Condition

All vital services should be in working condition and it is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure this. This includes:

• Heating
• Plumbing
• Gas
• Electrical
• Supplied appliances

If any tenants are responsible for paying their own bills, they are required to ensure their services are retained.

Maintenance Responsibilities of Tenants

Typically, landlords are required to maintain a rental property to meet certain standards and conditions. However, tenants too have certain responsibilities under the law. 

The key areas and requirements are as follows:

• Ensuring that their unit is free from potential sanitary hazards. This requires regular and proper disposal of their garbage and maintaining a clean unit.
• Ensuring the unit doesn’t have any safety hazards. Tenants should not tamper with the smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. They should also ensure no emergency exits are blocked.
• Tenants are also required to follow certain building and housing laws. 

Tenants should also maintain conditions that prevent mold growth. They should also show care in how they treat the property.

Thus, rental property maintenance is mostly the responsibility of the landlord. However, the tenant also has certain responsibilities to ensure their unit is kept clean and in a habitable condition. At Belmares Properties, we are a full-service real estate company with decades of industry experience in San Antonio and the surrounding markets. We specialize in commercial and residential sales, leasing, and property management. Whether you are a landlord, tenant, or a party interested in purchasing, renting, or leasing property, feel free to contact us for guidance. You can reach us at (210) 877-0815 or via this Contact Form.

 

Sources:

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-tenants-can-help-with-property-maintenance-4140695