How Tenants & Landlords Can Work Together on Property Maintenance

Posted by Justin Havre on Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 at 3:45pm.

Landlord & Tenant Property Maintenance TasksNavigating the responsibilities of a tenant and a landlord can be tricky—especially when it comes to maintenance. Knowing which property repairs are each party's responsibility is critical, as it affects both their financial obligations and the property itself. In this comprehensive blog post, we'll take a deep dive into this important topic, providing valuable guidance on what tenants and landlords are responsible for regarding property upkeep and repair.

Mutual Benefits of Maintaining a Property

If you rent your home to tenants, regular maintenance of a house or apartment can help maintain its value. This is especially important if you plan on selling your property in the future. A property with a clean, well-maintained exterior will make a better first impression on potential buyers or renters than one with peeling paint or overgrown landscaping.

Similarly, a property with updated appliances, modern fixtures and a well-functioning HVAC system will be more appealing than one with outdated or broken features. Regular maintenance can demonstrate to potential buyers or renters that you have taken good care of your property, increasing their confidence in the property's overall condition and reducing the likelihood of unexpected repair costs.

Tenants have an important role to play in maintaining a rental property, too. Not only does regular upkeep help ensure that tenants can enjoy the property to its fullest potential, but it also helps to protect their financial security. By keeping the premises clean and free of debris, tenants can avoid potentially costly infestations or other unsanitary living conditions that would force them to move prematurely.

Staying on top of property maintenance will also help renters get more of their security deposit back.

Why Renters & Landlords Both Need Insurance

Owning good home insurance is also one of the most important parts of property management. It can protect you in case of accidents and reduce or even cover all the reparations if needed.

Home insurance is an important matter for anyone who owns a property or rents a home. These insurance policies provide protection for your home and personal belongings in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as fire, theft, or weather damage. Homeowner's insurance covers damages to your property and any legal or medical costs resulting from an accident that occurred on your property.

Renter's insurance, on the other hand, covers the tenant's personal belongings and provides liability coverage.

Insurance premiums in Alberta vary based on several factors, such as the age and location of the property and the coverage selected. It is crucial to assess your insurance needs and select a policy that provides adequate coverage for your property and personal belongings. In addition, it is important to review your policy annually and compare different home insurers to ensure that you have the coverage you need and that your policy remains current with any changes in your circumstances.

Maintenance Responsibilities for Landlords

If you are the landlord, here are some tips you can follow to keep your property in good condition:

Schedule regular home inspections of the property to identify any potential maintenance issues. This will help you catch problems early and prevent them from becoming more significant and costly issues.

Respond promptly to any maintenance requests from tenants. This will help you to maintain a good relationship with your tenants and ensure that the property is always in good condition. It can also prevent them from holding rent in escrow, which is always an unwanted financial interruption.

Keep the property exterior well-maintained and attractive even when no one lives there. This includes regular lawn maintenance, keeping the landscaping neat and painting the exterior when necessary.

Regularly service the HVAC systems, including furnaces and air conditioning units. This will ensure they run efficiently and reduce the likelihood of expensive breakdowns.

Do not forget to regularly check the plumbing and electrical systems to identify any leaks, clogs or faulty electrical connections. Address any issues promptly to prevent damage to the property and ensure the safety of the tenants.

Regularly clean and inspect the gutters and roofs to prevent water damage and leaks. This will help you avoid costly repairs in the future.

Maintenance Tips for Tenants

As a tenant, you can play a role in property management to ensure that you live in a safe and comfortable environment. Here are some tips about property management as a tenant.

Report any maintenance issues to your landlord or property manager promptly. This includes things like leaky faucets, malfunctioning appliances or faulty electrical outlets. Addressing these issues quickly can prevent them from becoming bigger problems down the line.

Keep your home clean and well-maintained! At least once a week, you should clean the kitchen and bathroom, vacuum or sweep the floors and wipe down surfaces. Keeping the property clean not only ensures a safe and healthy living environment but also helps reduce future maintenance issues that might come out of your deposit.

Treat the property with respect and care. Avoid damaging walls, floors, or fixtures, and avoid activities that could cause damage or safety hazards. This includes things like smoking indoors or using appliances improperly.

Follow the lease agreement and any rules or policies set by the landlord or property manager. Any damage done to the apartment while violating the lease may require repairs to come out of your pocket. Even worse, it could result in eviction.

Be a good neighbour to other tenants on the property. Act like the type of neighbour you want to have and set a good example. This could inspire others to take better care of your shared living space, resulting in a happier, healthier community.

Tenant & Landlord Maintenace: Better When We Work Together

In conclusion, it's important to remember that both landlord and tenant have maintenance responsibilities. As a tenant, you must abide by the terms of the lease agreement and take care of minor maintenance issues. It's advisable to insure yourself as you can never predict misfortunes like natural disasters or theft that might befall your property. Similarly, as a landlord, it is wise to insure your rental property to protect yourself from similar calamities. All in all, it's important to understand how vital mutual respect is for both sides when maintaining a residential property.

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