10 Rental Repair and Maintenance Responsibilities for Landlords

Make sure these safety devices are installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and test them at least once a year. Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are necessary in all rental homes. Smoke alarms must be installed within close proximity to bedrooms and on each level of a multi-story home.

“I provide a yearly inspection of all my rental properties,” Agadoni said. “At that time, I check to see whether everything is working properly, including smoke alarms.”

Yearly maintenance to the HVAC system is the best way to avoid emergency calls from tenants without heat in the winter or air conditioning on the hottest days of summer. Heating is required almost everywhere for your property to be legally rentable. Air conditioning is typically not required, but many landlords choose to include AC units in warmer climates.

Once or twice a year, hire a professional to drain your water heater to remove sediment build up. Any one-off hot water heater maintenance — like relighting the pilot light when it goes out — is also your responsibility. Replacing the system is expensive, so keeping it in good condition will help to avoid unexpected repair costs. It’ll also keep you on the right side of the law, since landlords are responsible for supplying all tenants with running water.

Once a year, or after a heavy rainstorm, visit your property to check for soft spots on the roof, ceilings and walls. Look for signs of water damage around windows, showers and toilets. Catching these issues is key to preventing dangerous mold and expensive structural damage.

While you’re at it, check beneath sinks, boilers and hot water heaters for leaky pipes. Landlords often pay water and sewer bills, so spotting a leak early can save you big bucks down the road.

To prevent leaks and keep your property structurally sound, you need to inspect the gutters at your rental house twice a year — once in late spring and again in early fall. “When the house needs painting, gutter cleaning, tree trimming, and other big jobs, the landlord is generally responsible,” Agadoni said.

Leaves and other debris can clog gutters and trap water, which leads to significant water damage through the roof, siding, windows and even the foundation. If you have pines or other messy trees near the home, consider cleaning the gutters every three months.

Depending on your lease agreement, your tenant may be responsible for basic landscaping like mowing the lawn and raking leaves. However, larger projects like general maintenance and tree or stump removal are typically your responsibility. In areas with winter climates, you may want to prune your trees before flurries and freezing temperatures hit. Heavy snow and ice can weigh on unstable branches, increasing the likelihood of fallen limbs causing property damage.

Landlords are responsible for keeping all common areas of the building safe and clean. To ensure tenant safety, light fixtures must be in working condition. Also, stairways, hand railings and banisters must be free from hazards. Shared hallways and stairways need to be free of trash and other debris.

If a particular resident is responsible for ongoing messes in common areas, the landlord can send a notice to quit the behavior.

To keep your rental neat and sanitary, landlords are responsible for providing appropriate garbage or recycling bins. The size and number of bins you’ll need depend on the number of tenants occupying the property. For multi-family housing and large apartment complexes, front load dumpster service is the most effective way to manage trash.