Imagine inspecting your property to find that it's in a dire state. Flies hover around the bin, and the carpet looks like it hasn't seen a vacuum cleaner in a year.
While this may seem frustrating, you can minimize the risk of this happening. Setting expectations with your tenants will ensure they always know the bare minimum to look after your property in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Read on for our guide on tenants' property maintenance responsibilities.
General Cleaning and Property Upkeep Duties
Tenants are responsible for keeping their property clean and well-kept. This ensures that the property doesn't have issues from neglect, like black mold, bug infestations, and bad odors.
Typical tasks will include mopping, vacuuming, and taking out the bins. Bathrooms should be clean, and dust should be cleared from surfaces. When landlords inspect the property, it should look sanitary and pleasant.
Minor Maintenance Work
You shouldn't expect a call from your tenant about any minor repair or maintenance needs for the property.
Some things are simple enough for the tenant to handle alone. That includes changing lightbulbs and smoke detector batteries. Include these in your tenant maintenance rules.
Reporting Urgent Issues
Some significant issues are urgent enough that ignoring them could leave landlords with expensive repairs. A bathroom that begins to flood is a good example. So, the tenant has a responsibility to notify landlords if they spot an urgent issue.
That includes electrical problems, plumbing issues, potential fire hazards, and security problems like a broken window.
Lawn and Garden Maintenance
Suppose you have a garden as part of the property. In that case, it's essential to add a section in the lease agreement about who is responsible. It's often the tenant, but it can become a grey area if not discussed upfront.
If it falls to the tenant, they should aim to do the basics to ensure proper upkeep, like trimming back overgrown hedges, weeding beds, and mowing the lawn.
Legal Maintenance Obligations
Some general tasks in the home are vital because they keep a property and its people safe. So, they will always form part of a tenant's responsibilities.
That includes correctly disposing of hazardous material and keeping fire exits clear of debris. It also means keeping the external part of the property sanitary and clear of discarded food so it doesn't attract pests and bugs.
Avoiding Property Modifications
Tenants are responsible for leaving a property as they found it when their lease ends. So, they should never make any changes, which means more work for the owner.
The lease will outline rules on unauthorized modifications. These will often include installing fixtures and removing walls.
Property Maintenance for Tenants: Setting Expectations
Some tenants will always keep your property in pristine condition. For others, you need to be explicit about what's expected. Use this guide on property maintenance to ensure you cover these rules in your lease.
PMI 4U can take the hassle out of property management. We can also work directly with your tenant to ensure your investment remains in excellent condition. Find out more about our services in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
