One of the major disputes between tenants and landlords is the responsibility for maintenance and rental repairs. Nevertheless, tenancy law exists to protect the tenant and landlord. Legally, your landlord is responsible for maintaining a habitable place to live in.
Remember, the property should meet local health and building codes. Besides making your rental habitable before you occupy it, the property owner should repair any issues that emerge throughout the lease term. Here’s a list of repairs your landlord is responsible for in your rental.
1. Plumbing Repairs
These repairs can comprise a leaking faucet or burst pipe. It’s important to note that these aren’t a renter’s responsibility because they’re generally considered ordinary wear and tear. An exception to this might be if you dig a hole and break a pipe accidentally as a renter.
2. Dysfunctional Appliances
This is perhaps the major problem in any rental. After all, you’re likely to use refrigerators and washing machines often if not daily, making them essential.
Appliances have several moving parts, so they typically break down quite often. For this reason, the landlord should fix them as fast as possible because no renter would be willing to wait an extended period to get the appliances functioning again.
While the landlord can fix some issues such as a burned-out bulb, several issues will require a qualified person. Unless a new appliance is necessary, the landlord will typically spend between $50 and $100 per hour to fix though most repairs can occur in an hour. If a new appliance is necessary, it’s advisable to purchase a used one.
3. Lack of Hot Water
Hot water is essential for a rental. Therefore, it can be very distressing for a tenant in the event that a boiler breaks down especially during winter. The lack of heating or hot water means very lengthy and cold winter months for the renter.
In this case, the landlord should have a dependable company on call to handle such issues as soon as possible. If a renter requires a new heater, the landlord will spend about $600 for replacement.
On the other hand, if your landlord discovers the heating element in the heater is the cause of the hot water loss, he or she can replace it for about $20 and some hours of work.
4. Water Leaks under Windows and in Ceiling
Water is very dangerous to a rental unit, and if left unchecked, it could destroy drywall, wood, flooring, and almost every other property surface. Beware that even small amounts of moisture could cause mold growth, which can be costly to remediate if it gets out of hand.
Therefore, your landlord should make this a priority once you report a water issue. The landlord should hire an experienced contractor to examine the issue and fix it instantly.
When it comes to leaks, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to hire the best rather than the cheapest person for the task. The landlord should also establish whether water supply lines exist in the ceiling, so he or she can contact a plumber in case of a leak.
Final Thoughts
One of the most important tasks for a landlord is property maintenance and repairing things when they break. Renters, on the other hand, should distinguish between their responsibilities and those of their landlord’s.
If you’re a first-time renter and are uncertain about your landlord’s responsibilities when it comes to repairs, check out this list.
For more information on the things your landlord is responsible for in the event that something breaks, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a comment.