Landlord Responsibilities

Landlord responsibilities or Landlord rights are more or less the same for  every state.

In general, the landlord has a RIGHT to receive rent on time according to the terms of the rental agreement. The Landlord is RESPONSIBLE for providing a safe and habitable rental unit for the tenant. While most landlords and tenants take pride in their home, there could often be disagreements between landlord and tenant. Therefore every state has Landlord Tenant Laws and usually Landlord Tenant Courts to protect both tenant and landlord.

A landlord has to collect rent in a timely manner to meet their obligations – mortgage, taxes, insurance, payroll for larger companies and maintenance. Landlording is a business. Successful landlords treat it as such.

Have your TENANT obtain RENTERS INSURANCE to protect their personal belongings. Give the tenant our Renters Insurance Letter (pdf). It explains the purpose of Renters Insurance.

LANDLORD RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide habitable housing. This means the house or apartment must comply with all building, housing, and health codes which significantly affect health and safety.

Clean and maintain common areas (hallways, stairs, yards, entry ways).

Provide for well lit hallways and entryways.

Make the house or apartment comply with all building, housing, and health codes which significantly affect health and safety.

Provide for properly working plumbing and heating. Hot and cold running water, bathroom, shower or tub, kitchen etc.

Notify tenants of violations in writing. Both for your records and that of the tenant.

Respond to maintenance requests in a timely fashion.  No is a response as well.

Provide information on tenant’s security deposit as required by law.

Provide tenant with emergency contact and name of address of Landlord or Manager for notices and to send rental payments.

If you must evict a tenant, follow the eviction laws for your state.

Return the tenant’s security deposit as required by law.

Provide written receipts for rent and deposits. Take care of property.

The landlord or his representative should do a walk through when the tenant moves in and when the tenant leaves and it should be documented.

Understand “normal wear and tear” and how to or not to charge back for repairs.