To stay in its best condition, your property requires regular maintenance and care, but not everyone knows where to start. Though you should always renovate your property if need be, maintaining it doesn’t have to be as expensive or as hard as it may seem.
With decades of experience in the property industry, Taylor Street Property Management breaks down what you should know about the responsibility of both landlords and tenants for the maintenance of the property.
Landlord Property Maintenance Responsibilities
First and foremost, landlords reading this article should be aware that maintenance of the property is a requirement under Arizona Landlord-Tenant law. Many DIY landlords are mistaken believing it is not their responsibility. The exact requirements may differ from one state to another, but many of the underlying principles stay the same.
Below are some of the responsibilities of landlords with regard to property maintenance:
Supplying Trash Receptacles
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to provide somewhere for your tenant to take out their garbage. This may be in the form of trash bins or any other trash receptacle.
Additionally, the size and number of trash bins have to be appropriate for the type of tenant.
For example, a four-person household has a higher garbage output than an individual living in a one-bedroom apartment, so you have to adapt to your tenants’ needs.
Local town laws may require you to build a small, closed-off space where trash receptacles are stored to reduce the odor in the neighborhood.
Provision of Running Water
As a landlord, you’ll ask your tenant to keep the property in a clean and reasonable condition throughout their tenancy.
Access to running water within the rental unit allows them to keep the bathroom and other surfaces in an acceptable condition.
Common Areas
Maintenance of the common areas falls under the jurisdiction of the landlord. All common areas should have proper lighting and be in a good state.
Safety is another aspect that should be approached with care. All stairs must be equipped with a stable banister and the flooring should be finished in a non-slippery fitting to avoid any falls.
Maintenance of Vital Services
By vital services, we are referring to gas, electricity, plumbing, heating and other supplied appliances. The landlord must ensure that these appliances and systems are always in working order.
The landlord can choose to have a non-inclusive or inclusive rental format. But if you choose an inclusive rental format and it’s the landlord’s responsibility to pay for the utilities, ensure that all bills are paid on time so that the services aren’t turned off.
Compliance With Building Codes
Building codes are legal regulations that provide the minimum standards of the design, construction and maintenance of structures.
The safety of the structure—and therefore that of the tenants—is the ultimate goal of building code regulations, so make sure to adhere to them and fix anything that needs it as soon as possible.
Perform Repairs
It’s the landlord’s responsibility to make reasonable repairs on the property.
By law, the landlord is obligated to keep the property in a safe and habitable condition, and this will also help keep tenants long-term. However, there might be times when you’re dealing with a problematic tenant who is negligent or damages the property.
It’s recommended for landlords to know the difference between normal property wear and tear as opposed to any damage due to negligence or abuse. If damage to the property falls in the latter category, the landlord can charge the tenant for the repair and can make the proper deductions from the security deposit once the tenancy ends.
Tenant Responsibilities
The law doesn’t place the entirety of property maintenance on the landlord. The tenant also has some has responsibility as the occupier of the space. Tenants are expected to maintain the rental property in a certain condition.
You might be dealing with a tenant who is not aware of their maintenance responsibilities. It’s your responsibility as the landlord to educate them on this, both verbally and through the use of the lease agreement.
Below are some of the general responsibilities of tenants leasing your property:
Disposal of Any Sanitary Hazards
Using the trash receptacles or bins provided by the landlord, tenants are to dispose of any garbage in timely manner. Piling up of garbage can create a health issue. Excessive trash may lead to the spread of odors and even pest infestations.
The Rental Unit Should Be Free of Any Safety Hazards
Emergency exits within the rental unit should be accessible at all times. Should the need arise, the tenant should be able to make a quick exit.
Safety devices such as fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors shouldn’t be tampered with.
Also, the tenant should not bring home anything that may pose a risk to themselves, to the neighbors, or to the safety of the property..
Adherence to Building and Housing Codes
Building and housing codes recommend how a living space should be used. If the tenant has signed a lease for a single-family unit, they shouldn’t bring in additional people.
The breaking of building and housing codes will have long-term effects. It’ll lead to more wear and tear of the property, higher utility costs, and a possible fire and safety issue.
Bottom Line
Need help with the maintenance of your rental properties? Well, your search for professional property management services in Phoenix, Arizona has come to an end!
Call on the leading property management company in the city, Taylor Street Property Management. We have the experience and commitment to best grow your investment in real estate as well as increase your ROI.
We know that every property in our portfolio is unique. That’s why our reputable team customizes our services, delivering tailor-made solutions to your needs and those of your tenants. Contact us today and get more information on any of our property management services!
