Being either a landlord or a tenant means some give and take. Tenants expect a safe, clean place to live, and landlords expect to be paid the rent on time. Beyond those basics, there are some responsibilities of landlords and tenants.
For example, the landlord must make any necessary repairs before a tenant moves in. If the tenant breaks a window while living there, he must repair it.
If the landlord repairs a window that has been broken by the tenant, he can deduct the cost from the security deposit.
Responsibilities of a Landlord
Landlords are legally required to provide a dwelling that is habitable. This means that the unit must comply with all health and safety codes and be sanitary and structurally sound. Specifically, the following items are required:
1. Heat
2. Electricity
3. Hot water
4. Functional plumbing and toilets
5. Doors with locks
6. Intact windows with screens
7. Absence of pest infestations
In addition to a safe and clean living space, tenants are also entitled to privacy and quiet. Landlords must make any repairs in a timely fashion or risk being reported to the housing authority.
New landlords do not usually have to be licensed. However, you do have to register your rental property with local authorities. You should do this before a tenant moves in to the property. Depending on the area, local officials may inspect rental properties routinely. In some cases, they may only perform inspections if there is a complaint.
Be sure to declare your rental income to the proper taxing authorities and deduct all legitimate business expenses.
Responsibilities of a Tenant
Signing a lease means more than promising to pay the rent on time. It also requires tenants to keep the home in good repair. The trash must be disposed of, and the home should be kept in sanitary condition. In addition, there are certain responsibilities of a tenant in terms of behavior. They include the following:
1. Keeping quiet and not disturbing the neighbors
2. Not conducting illegal activities in the home, like selling drugs
3. Following the terms of the lease agreement
4. Not running a business out of the rental property without approval from the landlord
5. Paying the rent on time as stipulated in the rental agreement
6. Behaving appropriately
7. Not damaging the unit
8. Not altering the unit without the approval of the landlord
9. Being respectful toward the landlord and other tenants
As a landlord, you have the right to evict a tenant who does not uphold his responsibilities. Remember, though, that you must be able to prove that the tenant failed to meet the responsibilities as outlined in the rental agreement.
Therefore, it is imperative that you keep clear, written records of any problems that occurred and how you handled these problems.
Any time a rule is broken by a tenant, you should send the tenant a written notice that they have violated the lease.
Before evicting a tenant, you must be able to show that you have notified the tenant of a violation at least three times before taking the case to court. If you have a rental agreement signed by the tenant, you can terminate the lease with 30 days’ notice.
If you own a rental property, you should get in touch with McMath Realty to learn more about the responsibilities of landlords and tenants.
We offer a variety of services to assist you in maintaining your property, includinginvestment consulting,property management,rental management,property inspections, and home maintenance services.
We manage rental properties in Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, and all areas of Maricopa County.
We advertise your property in the MLS listing, on multiple websites, and on our own website. We also use signage to attract potential renters who are out driving around and looking for rental opportunities. We will assess your property, recommend improvements, and help you price your unit appropriately.
Contact McMath Realty at https://mcmathrealty.com//contact.php to learn more about how we can help you keep your rental property in great shape so that you can keep your good renters or attract the best new tenants!