One of the biggest pros of being a renter is that, for the most part, tedious maintenance work and expensive home repairs aren’t your problems. That’s your landlord’s job, right? Right?
Well, not necessarily. In some cases, tenants are in charge of handling routine maintenance and even some repairs.
Landlords and property managers are responsible for maintaining any appliances and electrical systems. Landlords are also generally responsible for ensuring the overall safety of the rental property.
But these expectations vary from lease to lease. Even if your landlord handles the major repairs, there are plenty of daily duties that could land on your plate.
1. Outdoor maintenance
If you scored a big compound with your rental, means you’ll be your own personal groundskeeper: Some leases require tenants to maintain the lawn, sidewalk, and other outdoor spaces.
Tenants are often surprised that the yardwork is their responsibility and that it’s not just mowing the lawn. It can also include watering the yard, trimming bushes, fertilizing, and maintaining the landscaping. Some residential landlords will handle the lawn, but the cost is built into the monthly rent.
Some landlords even expect tenants to clean the gutters themselves or deal with pest removal. When in doubt, refer to your lease or ask your landlord to clarify who handles what.
2. Minor plumbing issues
Chances are, your landlord or property manager is responsible for keeping your plumbing systems running, which includes leak prevention and repairs.
Check your lease to confirm whose job it is to deal with the occasional plumbing mishap.
Remember to do your part to prevent clogs by never pouring grease down sink drains or dumping food in a sink. If you cause a plumbing issue in your unit, you could be held responsible for the cost of repairs.
3. Repairs—if the damage was your fault
Generally, landlords are responsible for maintaining your place’s major aspects and replacing after they’ve endured normal wear and tear and reached the end of their natural lives.
But if you or one of your guests (or one of your pets) destroys something, that’s another story.
Let’s say a tenant that was playing ball and hit the ball through the house window. They were responsible for damages. However, if the window was damaged during a storm, the landlord would have been responsible.
Check your lease to make sure your landlord takes responsibility for repairing damages caused by situations out of your control, like extreme weather.
4. Unauthorized service calls
If you run into a problem in your unit and decide to take things into your own hands by calling the repair person yourself, you could be on the hook for the bill.
Landlords to personally handle calls with electricians, plumbers, and other experts when tenants request a repair.
If the problem is legit, the homeowner will be responsible for the bill. If there is not a problem or the problem was caused by neglect, the tenant will be responsible for the bill.
To avoid miscommunications and surprise bills, make sure you have your landlord’s blessing before you get on the phone to request a repair.
5. Cleaning up before the next tenant
When the time comes to move on from your rental unit, don’t assume you can just hand over the keys and walk away. Many landlords expect tenants to clean up before they roll out and if you don’t, you could risk losing part of your deposit.
The specifics of your responsibilities should be outlined in your lease.
A lot of tenants hang beautiful artwork on the wall, which makes the house feel like a home. But you’re responsible for filling all holes and making sure the paint matches when you remove the artwork.
A good rule of thumb is that if you alter anything in the unit, it’s your duty to restore it to the way it was when you first moved in.