Over the course of time, it’s pretty much a given that items in a home will require repairs or replacement. Appliances and HVAC systems typically have a certain life span. The shingles on the roof may break or blow away – especially in areas like Florida where hurricanes regularly occur. Likewise, kitchen cabinets, sinks, and flooring can all take a beating.
So, when it comes to the maintenance on your rental property(ies), when should the tenant be responsible?
As an investment property owner, you generally have an “implied promise” to keep the main features in a home or apartment in functioning condition. However, there are some cases where a tenant should be responsible for either fixing or covering the cost for any defects that are caused by them.
In fact, depending on the situation, you may be able to work out an agreement with tenants where they make minor repairs and/or perform regular maintenance (such as cutting the grass), in return for a lower monthly rent payment.
Before a tenant moves forward with doing any kind of modifications, though, they should obtain permission from you and/or a property manager that is the go-between. That way, you’ll know what to anticipate.
If you own residential rental property in Orlando and/or the surrounding Central Florida area and you would like to step away from the day-to-day duties of managing and maintaining your investment(s), it may be time to hire a property manager.
Delegating tasks like collecting rent, managing and screening tenants, and responding to emergencies are just some of the tasks that Central Florida Property Management can take on. In addition, we also offer other conveniences, like direct deposit of rent checks and monthly financial statements that are prepared by our in-house CPA. So, if you’d like more details on how we can make your life easier, just contact us.
