Good tenants understand their responsibilities and typically have no trouble meeting the expectations of their landlords and property managers. In order to succeed and have a positive rental experience, they have to know what those responsibilities are. It’s important to discuss your expectations before the lease term starts, so you can be sure everyone is on the same page.
Generally, tenants are responsible for basic maintenance such as changing the air filters. They are also responsible for any damage they cause, and for reporting repair issues right away. Some landlords want their tenants to handle lawn care and landscaping or pool care as well.
In this blog, we’ll discuss why it might be better to go another way.
Tenant Responsibilities Include Cleaning and Upkeep
Landlords are responsible for maintaining a safe and habitable home. If the roof is leaking or the washing machine stops running, the landlord will likely be called to make the repair. However, you can expect tenants to change the air filters on a regular basis. This will preserve the life of your system and ensure the air quality inside the home is good for your tenants. You can and should require tenants to change the filters. Send reminders and include this responsibility in the lease agreement.
Keeping the property clean is also important because you don’t want your tenants to live in a way that gives pests and rodents a comfortable home inside the property. This will only leave the home vulnerable to deterioration and excessive wear and tear.
Everyone has different standards of cleanliness. Your idea of a clean home may not be the same as your resident’s idea of a clean home. That’s okay. However, make sure they know that you expect a clean home when inspections are conducted or the lease term ends. It’s your tenant’s responsibility to return the property in the same condition that it was when they moved in, except for normal and expected wear and tear.
Tenant Damage is Always a Tenant’s Responsibility
While landlords are responsible for any repairs and maintenance that are due to normal wear and tear, tenants should be expected to pay for any damage that’s due to their abuse, misuse, or neglect.
Typically, this damage is noted and documented after a tenant moves out, and the cost is deducted from the security deposit. But, if you’re called to fix a plumbing problem, and your plumber discovers some toys were flushed down the toilet, that’s a bill you can expect your tenants to pay.
Make sure your tenants know that you need to have all repair issues reported right away – whether it’s their responsibility or yours. You don’t want deferred or unreported maintenance issues to pile up; that will only lead to larger problems and more expensive fixes in the future.
Landscaping and Pool Care
Many homes in the Temecula Valley have pools. They have gorgeous landscaping. If you’re renting out a home with a pool, don’t leave it to your tenants to clean and maintain. You don’t need the risk of them mixing pool chemicals or getting sick while swimming in dirty water. Hire professional pool contractors to clean and maintain it. The cost of the pool contractor can simply be added to the rental amount.
The same principle can apply to landscaping. Some landlords want their tenants to be responsible for mowing the lawn or trimming the weeds. That’s usually acceptable; tenants renting a single-family home often don’t mind mowing. However, any advanced landscaping should be left to the professionals. It keeps your lawn healthy and looking the way you want it to, and it removes any risk and liability because your tenants won’t have to operate any equipment or machinery. Like with the pool vendors – you can include the cost of these services in the rent.
These are just a few of the tenant responsibilities you should be prepared to communicate to your residents. Make sure your lease agreement reflects what is expected, and always be open to answering questions or addressing concerns.
If you have questions about deciding who is responsible for what when it comes to maintaining your rental home, contact us. Management One Professionals provides single-family and condo landlords, rental property owners, and real estate investors expert property management services throughout the Temecula Valley, including Temecula, Murrieta, Winchester, Wildomar, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and other surrounding cities.
