Maintaining a rental property falls to both landlords and residents. As a San Jose property investor, you’re required to provide a safe and habitable home. As residents, renters are required to help you keep that property clean and well-maintained. Make sure everyone understands their responsibilities before the lease is signed and the keys handed over.
Minor repairs can be handled by the resident. For example, if a battery in a remote control needs to be changed or a new light bulb is needed, residents can handle it. Air filters should be changed regularly by the resident, and your lease agreement should reflect this.
We don’t want residents handling anything that requires more depth or a real repair. Unless the residents are professional contractors, we really don’t want them fixing the things that become damaged in the home. It can lead to a lot of problems and further expenses.
Avoiding Liability and using Professional Vendors
One of the reasons we don’t want residents making major repairs is that they could get hurt, or they could cause more damage to your property. When residents are climbing ladders or dealing with power tools, you could be liable for their safety. This is an excellent reason to only use licensed and insured vendors and contractors for maintenance at your rental property.
If your resident happens to be a professional electrician or plumber – great! However, residents who are unqualified to do real repair work should avoid it. Don’t put your investment at risk.
Resident-Caused Damages and Responsibilities
Your resident may accidentally break something like a window or a door. Those things can be fixed by the residents. If residents cause any damage that’s beyond normal wear and tear, they are responsible for the repair. Frequent inspections and documented property condition reports can help you stay organized and hold the resident accountable.
If your resident does not report a maintenance issue in a timely manner, they should be held responsible for the additional repairs that are needed. Perhaps there’s a leak in one of the tubs that the resident noticed six months ago but failed to report. If that leak causes further water damage or even mold, it’s going to be that resident’s responsibility. They are required to report maintenance issues to you right away. Make sure your lease agreement states this.
Resident Communication and Insurance
If the resident is responsible for any repairs that are needed, make sure you communicate openly and transparently. Let your resident know what you expect and what they are responsible for. You should always require renter’s insurance, especially for situations like this. Start your conversation by asking if the resident’s renter’s insurance policy will cover the damage. That can bring a lot of peace of mind to your resident and to you.
If you have any questions about what the residents should be responsible for when it comes to repairs and maintenance, we’d be happy to help you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at PURE Property Management.
