Unfortunately not the Ghostbusters. As any renter knows light bulbs burn out, dishwashers cease working, showers stop putting out hot water and of course toilets stop flushing. So whose responsibility is it to get these things fixed and how quickly can you expect them to be repaired?
- First check your leasing agreement as this often outlines who is responsible. It can sometimes include clauses that say something like “the renter owes the first $50 and the landlord any amount exceeding that.”
- If the item in question is something that requires routine maintenance then it is the renter’s duty. This can be light bulbs, air filters, or provided cleaning supplies.
- One way to avoid major repair issues is to complete a thorough check prior to renting to uncover major problems. It might seem silly but flush the toilet, turn on the shower and sinks, start the dishwasher, turn on the oven and burners, see if the refrigerator is cool and the freezer is, well, frozen.
- Is the place clean? Do the exterior and grounds appear to be well maintained? If the property manager or landlord shows they are keeping the place up now, then it means that they probably will help you quickly when problems come up.
- If you happen to break something, unintentionally or not, it is going to cost you. But who calls the repairman or could you fix it yourself? Generally landlords will determine who does the repair so it is best to contact them first. So that broken window and the hole in the wall? Looks like those are coming out of your security deposit. Sorry.
The best way to keep your place up is to keep it clean, always replace minor things immediately and call your landlord whenever something comes up that is out of your scope.
For more information on what to look for before renting, check out: Top 10 Things to Look for When Renting
Filed under: Renters | Tagged: apartment repairs, home maintenance, house repairs, landlord responsibilities, leasing agreement, maintenance, rental repairs, repair, repairing an apartment, security deposit
