May 22, 2009, Newsletter Issue #133: After Signing a Lease on One of Your Townhouses for Rent, Here Are Some of Landlord Responsibilities

Tip of the Week

Landlords have numerous responsibilities related to their homes for rent. Most are attached to the maintenance of their units. But there are other duties that they should also understand. Here are some of the primary responsibilities that apply to landlords:

Comply with all building and health codes that apply to your apartments and townhouses for rent. Violations of either often cause damage to both landlord and tenant. Maintain a good quality of life for your tenants. Peace, quiet, and the uninterrupted enjoyment of their home are some of the rental basics that all tenants should expect and receive. Keep your visits to a minimum and take any other action necessary to ensure your tenants enjoy a peaceful occupancy. Make repairs as soon as possible after notification. The most professional landlords understand that the condition of their homes for rent is a direct reflection of themselves. They have empathy for their tenants who are dealing with a leaky “something,” a broken pipe, electrical issues, or other things that have broken or ceased working. Respond as quickly as you would with your own primary residence. Perform to the terms of the lease agreement just as you expect your tenants to do. Rental documents impose conditions on both landlord and renter; both parties need to treat the terms and each other with respect. Give timely notice of any changes in a month-to-month agreement or prior to the end of a lease term. If you’ve decided to increase the rent, seek new tenants, or sell your property, give your renters appropriate notice so they have the time to conduct another apartment search. If your roles were reversed, you would appreciate, if not demand, this consideration. Most landlord responsibilities are simply common sense ways to conduct your life. Merely give your tenants the respect for their privacy and integrity as you would like to receive in return.

About LifeTips

Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.