Maintenance and Care
Both the tenants and the owner have a responsibility towards the maintenance and care of the property. While it is the landlord’s responsibility to provide a property in a liveable condition, it is the tenant’s responsibility to maintain the property in good shape during the tenancy.
Landlord’s Responsibilities and RightsÂ
The landlord has a responsibility to hand over the rental property in good condition to the tenant. He or she also should ensure that while the tenant resides in the property, any kind of maintenance and repair issues are taken care of. The landlord is responsible for:
- All repairs of property not the direct result of malicious damage;
- Supply of utilities (electricity, gas, water) to the property – not the payment of using them;
- Plumbing issues that stop you from laundering, showering, or cooking – that is not the direct result of malicious damage;
- Emergency repairs – water leaks, burst water pipes, leaky roofs, gas leaks, etc should be addressed immediately;
- Installation of smoke alarms.
The Property Manager or landlord has a right to inspect the property at least every six months to ensure the property is being kept well, no changes have been made and there is no damage to the property in anyway. Should there be even the slightest hint that the property is not being maintained as it should be, the Property Manager may take action against the tenant. Property owners may even go for eviction of tenants if they find that the tenant has damaged the property in any way.
Tenant’s Rights and ResponsibilitiesÂ
The tenant’s responsibilities include, unless otherwise agreed as part of the lease terms:
- Day-to-day care and cleaning of the property;
- Lawn care – mowing, edging etc;
- Daily pool maintenance, if pool is included as part of the property;
- Battery replacement in smoke alarms.
In case of any emergency repairs, the tenant must inform their Property Manager immediately by calling the office. Â Any problems with water, electricity, gas, water leaks, gutter or drain issues should be conveyed to the Property Manager so that action can be taken to repair the issues.