4 Duties Landlords Owe Their Tenants

As a landlord, you expect your tenants to pay rent each month because that’s their obligation to you. Your end of the bargain, though, includes lots more than just handing over the keys to your house. You should know that you owe certain responsibilities to your tenants. Here are some of the duties a landlord has to render to their tenants:

#1. Keep A Quiet Environment

Tenants expect their homes to be quiet so if you have multiple tenants staying in one property, you should have a strict quiet-hours policy that all tenants must agree to. For example, no loud music or noise of any kind after 10 pm.

#2. Duty to Maintain a Clean Environment

Tenants also expect their home to be tidy and clean. It is definitely not your duty to be washing your tenant’s dishes or picking their clothes up off the floor, but as landlord you do have a certain responsibility to keep the property as a whole.

You should always make sure that the trash is taken out, and that general areas are well cared for–that they are garbage-free and have working light bulbs. You must keep the external area in the same manner, making sure the grass is trimmed, exterior lights are functioning and the yard is free from junk.

#3. Respond to Repair Requests Promptly

Tenants pay rent to live in your property. It’s your responsibility to them, to respond to their demands for repairs within a reasonable amount of time. The severity of the repairs should dictate how rapid your response will be.

Lack of heat in the winter is a repair that needs sudden attention, both for the safety of the renters and the benefit of your property. Your water pipes might freeze due to the lack of heat and that could take you thousands of dollars to fix. Also, you could face legal consequences if you are at fault for the heat not being on.

#4. Responsibility to Maintain a Safe Environment

Renters will also expect their homes to safe. As landlord, you will be held responsible for giving your tenants a secure place to reside.

Your renters should at all times feel safe inside their apartments. This means that you should ensure that all doors and windows are effectively secured and have suitable working locks. All front doors should at least have a deadbolt lock.

Make sure that no one else has a key to the renter’s apartment. You should change the locks once a prior renter departs and before a new one moves in. If you’re planning on giving the keys to your agent, use a generic lock and replace it prior to your new renters moving in.