With Texas having the 5th highest vacancy rate in the country, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph, it is vital to ensure you do everything you can to keep your tenants happy. Maintaining your rental property may seem daunting, but understanding the tenant's responsibilities will prevent you from appearing overbearing if there are problems further down the line. So, what does it look like when a tenant ensures good property maintenance?
This article will look at what might be expected of a tenant from the point of view of the law, as well as what optional steps tenants might take to keep up with rental property maintenance. As you read through, learn how to allocate rental maintenance responsibilities fairly and keep your tenants happy long-term.
How to Avoid Common Legal Disputes
Legal disputes often occur when tenants and landlords such as yourself have unclear responsibilities. As such, you must lay out these expectations in a well-written lease agreement before anyone moves into a rented space.
Include information on property inspections and common areas of possible dispute, such as mold remediation or pest control. At the same time, make it clear what you expect tenants to take responsibility for so that you can hold them accountable if they do not perform this task later.
Why Regular Property Maintenance is Important
Regular maintenance is good for property value and can often prevent harm from coming to the location later, resulting in costly repairs. Conversely, neglecting routine tasks that may lead to property damage if not handled include:
- HVAC servicing
- Plumbing checks
- Roof inspections
- Lawn mowing
- Vine removal
At the same time, poorly maintained properties can cause the location's curb appeal to plummet. If this occurs, keeping high-quality tenants and justifying competitive rental rates gets much more difficult.
What Tenants Are Legally Required to Maintain
Unless the contract states otherwise, tenants must keep the rental property clean and report maintenance issues to you as soon as possible. However, everyday tasks that do not require a specialist to perform safely are their responsibility. These can include:
- Replacing light bulbs
- Unclogging drains
- Maintaining smoke detectors
- Basic cleaning
Tenants should also manage their waste to adhere to Tyler rental laws.
The Role of Landlords in Legal Maintenance
Conversely, landlords are typically responsible for maintaining the house's structural aspects and keeping the property livable. Examples of this include:
- Roofing
- Plumbing
- HVAC maintenance
- Electrical system servicing
You also need to respond to tenant maintenance requests in a prompt manner to avoid possible liability.
If this is too complex, contacting a property manager to take some of this work off your hands may be necessary. Many have a professional network to ensure this process occurs fast and professionally.
Ensuring Your Tenants Maintain a Tyler Property
Regular property maintenance responsibilities ensure your rental's upkeep does not fall behind. As explained above, clear lines of communication and well-defined roles can also help avoid legal disputes, but for many, this may be too much work. A Texas-based property manager can help you keep your portfolio up to scratch.
PMI Tyler has decades of experience in bringing expert property management services to bear. So, contact PMI Tyler today to learn what they can do for you and let them take a lot of the hard work off your hands,
