If you are a landlord in Los Angeles, you’ll be pleased to know that maintenance is not only your responsibility. Some of the maintenance responsibilities lie squarely on the shoulders of your tenants. Of course the major repairs have to be taken care of by the Landlord. But, there are some types of repairs that have to be looked after by the tenants.
1. The tenants need to keep the property not only clean but also safe.
Tenants are required to remove trash and debris from their homes and common areas.
2. Tenants must maintain plumbing fixtures and other ventilation systems.
Tenants have to make sure that not just plumbing fixtures but also the heating and air conditioning units are used and maintained properly. They have to change the air filters in the HVAC and also report any leaks to the landlord in time. Similarly, the replacement of fused light bulbs, water filters, and batteries of the smoke alarm has to be reported timely by the tenants.
3. Tenants need to replace any fixtures or appliances that they improperly used.
If any fixture gets broken or damaged because of improper use, the responsibility for its repair or replacement lies upon the tenants. If the fixture broke down because of normal wear and tear, its replacement has to be carried out by the landlord.
The long life and optimal performance of fixtures, appliances and ventilation systems is dependent upon the proper use and care of the property’s inhabitants.
Most tenants who are irresponsible in taking care of the property come to realize that their lack of maintaining the property caused damage to the Landlord’s property. They may be shocked to know that the deposit they made upfront will be taken by the landlord to fix the damages accrued.
Also, as a Landlord, it is in your best interest to require tenants to have renter’s insurance. This will prevent liability for any major unforeseeable accidents such as roof leaks, pipes busted, or major repairs which result in relocation fees, and personal damage.
The best way to avoid any major expenses when renting a home is to properly inspect the property periodically and give the care your property deserves.
