At the start of a landlord-tenant relationship, both parties must understand their fundamental responsibilities and rights and they must communicate their anticipations to each other.
Successful property owners and managers in Texas recognize the significance of keeping abreast of landlord-tenant law. They select tenants in a nondiscriminatory manner, follow state rules on the uses and limits of security deposits as well as maintain their properties.
If you’re a first-time renter in Houston, here’s a list of responsibilities you should expect from your landlord.
Maintenance of a Safe Environment
As a tenant, you should live in a safe rental. Therefore, your landlord is responsible for providing a safe place to reside. You must feel safe in your apartment, which means the property owner should ensure all windows and doors are properly secured and have suitable working locks.
It’s also the landlord’s responsibility to ensure nobody else has a key to your apartment. This means that the property manager should constantly change the locks once a previous tenant moves out. In case the landlord plans to give realtors access to vacancies, he or she should use a generic lock and substitute the lock before the tenant moves in.
Beware that your landlord shouldn’t permit unsupervised repairmen in your apartment because of possible robbery claims. The property manager should also follow every safety code, for instance installing functional carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
As a renter, you should feel safe outside the complex as well, so you should have well lit outdoor areas, which should be free from hazards, for instance, an unstable handrail or broken step.
In the event that you reside in a multi-unit property, you must feel safe with other renters in the building. Consequently, the landlord is responsible for screening all renters and checking for criminal history.
Follow State Rules
All proprietors want their renters to make timely rental payments without hassle. In the event that your landlord plans to hike the rent or evict you if you haven’t paid rent, he or she must comply with the specific procedures and rules in Texas.
After all, state law controls numerous rent-related matters. For instance, property owners should typically give renters who haven’t paid rent 3-days notice before they file for eviction.
Unit Maintenance
A landlord is responsible for property maintenance, which includes keeping the rental clean and habitable. The property owner should conduct necessary repair, maintain the common areas, and keep all crucial services such as electricity, heat, and plumbing in good functioning order. Furthermore, you must have suitable trash receptacles and running water.
Preparation of a Legal Rental Agreement or Lease
The lease or rental agreement that you and your landlord sign outline the contractual basis of your association with the landlord, and comprises several details. For instance, it stipulates the period during which you can occupy the property and the rental amount.
This document sets out the legal policies that you and your landlord must follow, so it’s imperative that the property owner establishes an efficient lease and agreement that clearly informs you of your responsibilities.
Final Thoughts
Although landlords expect renters to pay their monthly rent, they have other responsibilities as well. As a renter, you must identify these responsibilities, so you can strike a harmonious relationship with your landlord. If you’re a first time renter who doesn’t know what to expect from your landlord, check this out.
For more information on your landlord’s responsibilities, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a comment.