Who should pay for filters, is it the tenant or the landlord?

Question

Who should pay for filters like water filter, fridge filter...etc, is it the tenant or the landlord? Water filters for ROs (reverse osmosis) for example can go up to $400 and some companies will recommend going through one of their technicians to change the filter. Also, most of the time filters need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months.

PS: I am a long distance investor and I am self managing

Chris Seveney · Answer

@Yacine Bouabba

This should be by the landlord along with maintenance of your hvac equipment. You should have your equipment serviced 1-2x a year depending if you have a heating and cooling season

Also the reality is your tenant is not going to do it anyways.

Alex Goldovsky · Answer

If we are talking about air filters, usually the responsibility of maintaining and replacing air filters lies with the landlord or property management company.

If the lease requires the tenant to maintain the air filter, you are responsible for changing it. But maintaining a heating and cooling system is often the landlord’s responsibility. The condition of the air filter is one of many things you should check before moving in.

Feel free to reach out if you need more clarification on this, I’ll be happy to help.

Benjamin Aaker · Answer

Get rid of water filters and sink disposals and ice makers when you can. If these are provided upon move-in, the tenant will expect you to keep them in good repair. If you insist on having them, then put something in the lease about maintenance.

Hindsight is 20-20 and you already have a tenant asking. You'll have to make a decision if it's worth it to deny the request or pay for the filter and keep the tenant happy. When they leave, remove the system.

Russell Brazil · Answer

Who pays for filters or who should pay for filters?

Generally its the tenants responsibility. But if you actually want them changed, youll pay for them and have them delivered to the property yourself.

Daniel Tanasa · Answer

Hey Yacine,

I try to have he tenants changing filters and I usually provide them. And also this is one of the items that I always check when I or my contractor visits a property and change it if needed on each visit.

Gustavo Delgado · Answer

The water filters are not interfering with their living conditions. I would not bother. I provide HVAC filters and I check in with the tenant regarding periodic replacing and if they need more. I much rather provide them this than it be neglected.

Theresa Harris · Answer

I provide extra filters when they move in for the furnace. You can get a 2 pack for $12. I expect the tenants to change the filter and once the ones I provided are used, to buy them. Same goes for things like batteries in smoke detectors.

Taylor L. · Answer

RO systems are overkill for rentals. I'd just pull those out. If you want the filters to actually be changed, you should pay for them. The overwhelming majority of tenants won't change filters if they have to go buy them (myself included back when I was a tenant, so no judgment)

Alex Goldovsky · Answer

If we are talking about air filters, usually the responsibility of maintaining and replacing air filters lies with the landlord or property management company.

If the lease requires the tenant to maintain the air filter, you are responsible for changing it. But maintaining a heating and cooling system is often the landlord’s responsibility. The condition of the air filter is one of many things you should check before moving in.

Feel free to reach out if you need more clarification on this, I’ll be happy to help.

Yacine Bouabba · Answer

Makes sense, thanks

Who should pay for filters, is it the tenant or the landlord?

Who should pay for filters, is it the tenant or the landlord?

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