Sometimes it’s difficult to know, as a landlord of a Rental home, what you are responsible for and what falls to your tenants. Read on for our guide to landlord duties.
Livability Mandate
A landlord’s greatest obligation to his tenants is to make sure that the structure complies with all existing building, housing and health codes — the component pieces of a property that add up to “livability.” Be sure that you are educated about local, state and federal requirements and that you are in accordance with them.
The Building
The property must be weatherproof, have natural lighting in every room, offer emergency exit access, and have windows that open up at least halfway. The windows need to be fitted with some kind of security device and the front entrance should be equipped with a deadbolt. The structure should also have a sufficient number of working smoke alarms.
Health and Hygiene
This landlord’s mandate includes properly working plumbing, heating and electrical systems; hot and cold running water; a functioning kitchen; bathroom; tub and shower.
The property must also have an adequate number of garbage cans and regular removal service.
The landlord also has to make sure that any lead paint has been removed in an approved manner and that rodent or insect infestations are treated effectively.
Common Areas
The landlord also must maintain common areas of the structure, including hallways (in apartment buildings), stairs, yards and entry ways, and make sure that all walkways (hallways, entrances, paths through the complex) are properly lit.
If any of these items fail or require attention, the landlord must respond to notification of the problem in a timely manner.
Wear and Tear
It’s important that a landlord be able to distinguish between normal wear and tear on the property’s structure, systems and appliances, versus damage or negligence on the part of the tenant, so that repair costs fall to the proper party.
Security Deposit
Each state has a different law on how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit and how they can handle it once the money is in their possession. Some states require that interest be paid on the amount. States also have different laws regarding the number of days that a landlord has to return the deposit to a tenant. Tenants who have their deposit used to cover damages must be given an itemized list of costs. Be sure to research the law in your area.
Though there a lot of local and state variations on the letter of the landlord’s duties to his or her tenants, most basic items are required across the country. Be sure to take advantage of local resources to make sure you understand the details of your responsibilities.