Every property owner knows how important it is to keep up with the maintenance. Any building or home will start to fall apart if it's not taken care of. No matter how nice it started out.
Property maintenance can be tricky when you're not the one living or using the space. That's why it's so important for landlords to set clear expectations for their tenants. When everyone knows who is responsible for what tasks, the property will stay in good shape much easier.
Check out this guide for some of the property upkeep tasks a tenant should handle.
Tasks Outlined in the Lease
Before moving into a rental property, a tenant must sign a lease agreement. Part of that contract will outline who is responsible for what maintenance tasks. And it will also outline the consequences of not handling those things.
Some responsibilities a lease may outline can include:
- changing light bulbs
- cleaning the walls
- some landscaping duties
Everything else not in the plan will be left to the landlord or their property management team.
Regular Upkeep and Cleaning
It's highly likely that the lease will also include the tenant being responsible for typical property upkeep. That means they must keep it clean and sanitary.
A tenant is not permitted to neglect regular cleaning tasks like scrubbing the toilets or vacuuming the floors. If those things are left undone for too long, the property will start to suffer. It's a good idea to suggest setting up a cleaning schedule to stay on top of those things.
Repairing Self-Made Damage
Living in a house often means minor damage happens. Things like nail holes from pictures or dings from furniture happen all the time. But that doesn't mean the tenant can just leave them be.
Any damage caused by the tenant (or their guests) must be handled by them. It's important to make that clear in the agreement so the property owner isn't left with a huge project.
Reporting Major Problems
Lastly, the tenant is responsible for reporting any big issues to the property management team. The last thing any landlord wants is to find out there has been a real problem unresolved for months on end. That's especially true when it could have been handled right away.
Things like water leaks, carpet tears, or appliance issues should all be reported immediately.
Property Maintenance Responsibilities Everyone Should Know
When it comes to property maintenance, there is never too much planning. It's a good idea to lay out each task that is needed to keep the property running. Then every piece should be assigned to a person.
This is the best way to make sure every step of rental property maintenance gets done. Even though it's a great plan, it can still feel hard to execute.
And that's where the experts at PMI Empire Solutions come in. Our team of property managers in New York can help you draft a plan and deliver it to your tenants, plus handle the follow-through. Contact us today to see how we can help keep your properties in tip-top shape!
