One of the core property management tasks of every landlord is to maintain the rental property to keep it habitable. You’re in charge of many core aspects of general upkeep, but tenants also have their fair share of it. Residents also need to keep the property in good condition, and misunderstanding where that responsibility begins and ends is one of the most common causes of landlord-tenant disputes.
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to clearly communicate what is expected of your tenants. Failing to do so can result in property damage, neighbor complaints, tenant disputes, and other problems that could’ve been easily avoided. Here are some of the responsibilities that typically fall under the tenant.
Key Highlights:
- Tenants are responsible for basic cleanliness, including floors, kitchens, bathrooms, trash disposal, and the upkeep of provided appliances.
- Small, low-cost tasks like changing light bulbs and HVAC filters, plunging clogged drains, and resetting breakers can be assigned to tenants through the lease.
- Lawn care and tidiness are common tenant duties for single-family homes, but major jobs like tree removal and irrigation repair stay with the landlord.
- Teaching tenants good habits, such as managing moisture, protecting plumbing, and preventing pests, helps stop small issues from becoming costly repairs.
- Landlords remain responsible for major systems, structural repairs, code compliance, and habitability, and tenants should not make unauthorized repairs or alterations.
In This Guide
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1. Keeping the Home Clean and Sanitary
The most fundamental tenant duty is basic cleanliness. This includes regular cleaning of floors, kitchens, and bathrooms, and disposing of trash properly rather than letting it accumulate. If they don’t, you and your other tenants will end up dealing with pest infestations, mold growth, and odors that damage the property and may violate health codes.
Cleanliness and sanitation also cover appliances provided with the rental unit, and residents are expected to perform basic maintenance, such as wiping the stove, cleaning the refrigerator, and removing lint from the dryer. Grease buildup and clogged vents are not just unsightly, but can become fire hazards.
2. Routine Upkeep and Minor Fixes
Many leases assign tenants a set of small and inexpensive tasks that don’t require professionals or landlord oversight. Typical examples are:
- Replacing light bulbs and, in some cases, smoke detector batteries
- Changing HVAC air filters
- Unclogging a drain or toilet with a plunger when blockage is caused by ordinary use
- Replacing worn items like shower curtains
- Resetting tripped circuit breakers
These duties may seem minor, but skipping them can lead to bigger problems. Delegating these tasks to tenants will also leave you with more time and resources to deal with more pressing matters, especially issues that landlords are required to resolve.
3. Yard and Outdoor Responsibilities
If you’re renting out a single-family home or a unit with a private outdoor space, you can add responsibilities like lawn mowing, watering, weeding, and general tidiness. If your property is located in an area with a colder climate, shoveling snow to clear walkways and driveways can also be included.
Larger jobs, such as tree removal, irrigation repair, or major landscaping, usually stay with the landlord. These are typically tied to the appeal of the rental property itself, and you cannot expect the tenant to cover capital expenditures for you. This is a sure way to keep your tenants from renewing their lease.
3. Prevent Damage Before It Happens
Much of tenant responsibility is about prevention. Good habits can stop small issues from becoming bigger and more expensive repairs. Tenants are also inclined to keep the property in good repair since their security deposits are typically on the line. Instruct renters on best practices to avoid problems.
- Managing moisture: Use bathroom fans, wipe up spills, report leaks, and ventilate rooms to prevent mold growth.
- Protecting plumbing: Avoid flushing materials like wipes or pouring grease down drains.
- Preventing burst pipes: In cold weather, keep the heat on at a safe minimum and follow landlord instructions when they leave the rental unit for long periods of time.
- Avoiding pests: Store food properly, take out the trash regularly, and report signs of infestation so they can be resolved quickly.
- Using fixtures properly: Do not overload outlets or hang heavy items on walls without suitable hardware.
What Tenants Are Not Responsible For
It’s one thing to know what responsibilities you can assign to tenants; it’s another to familiarize yourself with what you can’t. They should not be expected to perform the following duties:
- Repairing major systems like heating, plumbing, or wiring that fail through age
- Roof, foundation, or structural repairs
- Replacement of appliances that wear out from normal use
- Pest problems that existed before move-in
- Repairs required to keep the unit up to code or to meet habitability standards
- Routine inspections to spot problems during their early stages
On that note, tenants should not be allowed to make unauthorized repairs or alterations, unless the lease agreement says otherwise. This can range from painting the walls to doing electrical work. Even well-intentioned fixes can violate the lease or create liability for you.
FAQs
What maintenance tasks can I assign to my tenants?
- Tenants can typically handle small, inexpensive tasks that don't require a professional. These include replacing light bulbs, changing HVAC air filters, unclogging drains with a plunger, replacing items like shower curtains, and resetting tripped circuit breakers. Lawn care can also be assigned for single-family homes or units with private outdoor space.
Who is responsible for lawn care and landscaping?
- For single-family homes, tenants can usually be responsible for mowing, watering, weeding, and general tidiness. Larger jobs such as tree removal, irrigation repair, and major landscaping typically remain with the landlord because they tie directly to the property's appeal and value.
Can I require tenants to pay for major repairs?
- No. Repairs to major systems like heating, plumbing, and wiring that fail through age, along with roof, foundation, and structural work, are the landlord's responsibility. Asking tenants to cover capital expenditures is also a reliable way to lose them at lease renewal.
Don’t Fall Behind On Your Maintenance Duties
As you navigate the responsibilities of your tenants, you need to hold up your end of the bargain. As the landlord, you need to effectively and efficiently perform your own maintenance duties to keep the property in good condition. This isn’t just about keeping your tenants happy, but also about legal compliance.
With Grand Realty, that’s not something you ever have to worry about. We can offer access to an in-house portal to make it easier to submit maintenance requests, and a network of vendors you can rely on.
Contact us today, and let’s keep your property in top shape.
