What expenses am I obligated to pay as a landlord?

Question

What expenses am I obligated to pay as a landlord, I have tenants that think I'm supposed to pay for everything that breaks, and "that's the purpose of them renting." What would they have to pay for, and what are things that I would actually have to pay for?

Nathan Gesner · Answer

You maintain everything in the property at your expense, unless the tenant was negligent. The exceptions would be consumables (light bulbs, smoke detector batteries, etc.) and things you've specifically said (in writing) that you will not maintain. For example, many Landlords leave a washer/dryer in the rental for tenant use but tenants are responsible for maintaining them if they break.

I see quite a few questions from you. It would probably be worth your while to purchase a book on the basics of managing rentals. There's a good one from Brandon in the BP bookstore or my personal favorite, "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" by NOLO that includes your state-specific laws. IF you live in California, be sure to get the California edition.

Scott M. · Answer

A lot of this will depend on your local laws and your lease. The lease is the roadmap.

Theresa Harris · Answer

Time to have a sit down with your tenants. If they break something, they pay to have it repaired. Anything else, you ask does it need to be repaired or can it wait? Some tenants will ask to have any little thing repaired and you have to say no.

Gail K. · Answer

Your lease should state what a tenant would be responsible for. For example, many landlords who provide appliances such as washers and dryers will include a statement in the lease that these are for the convenience of the tenant only and they are responsible for any issues that require repair.

If a toilet gets clogged or the air stops working tenants are likely to give you a call regarding a repair because, well, you're the landlord. Which party is responsible for paying for this repair would be determined by the cause of such. If a toilet is clogged because the tenants child threw a shoe down there (or an older female child flushed a feminine hygiene product that clogged the system) the tenant becomes responsible for this repair. If the air conditioning stops working because the filter looks like it has grown a beard (and your lease states the tenant is responsible for periodically replacing the filters you have provided) the tenants becomes responsible for the cost of getting the HVAC tech out to figure this out.

It is likely going to be your responsibility to make the appointment with professionals who can determine the SOURCE of the repair (would you really want a tenant to start taking apart your heating and air system?) and once the reason for the repair is determined this will help determine who pays for this.

Gail

What expenses am I obligated to pay as a landlord?

What expenses am I obligated to pay as a landlord?

Most Popular Reply

4 Replies