Property Management Blog

When something breaks at your Sacramento investment property, you want to fix it right away. This will prevent further damage from happening, and it will keep your tenants feeling like their needs are being met. However, you’ll need to establish who is financially responsible for the repairs and replacements. A good lease and ongoing tenant communication can help you understand the rights and responsibilities of each party.

Sacramento Landlord Responsibilities

Regular maintenance will usually be the responsibility of the property owner. When a water heater leaks or a roof gets old or an appliance needs to be replaced, it’s the landlord’s responsibility. Landlords need to provide a safe and habitable place for tenants to live. Things are going to break over time, and normal wear and tear from the tenants must be expected. Unless your lease states otherwise, you need to respond to tenant maintenance requests and make the necessary repairs. If something is a cosmetic fix only, it’s obviously not going to be as urgent as other maintenance needs.

Protecting Your Sacramento Investment Property from Tenant Damage

If a tenant breaks something, it’s their responsibility to fix it. Things can break due to abuse or neglect. When a tenant’s child flushes something down the toilet and causes it to clog, you can require that the tenant pay for the repair. If a tenant kicks a hole into the wall or a door, it’s the tenant’s job to pay for the damage. Most tenant damage is identified after move-out, and you can charge the security deposit for the necessary repairs. Regular inspections can also help you ensure the tenant is taking good care of your property.

Refer to Your Lease Agreement

Your lease should spell out who is responsible for what. Refer to that document any time the tenant is confused about what he or she needs to pay for. The lease should also address things like lawn care and pool care, and who is responsible for paying each utility bill and HOA dues. Go over these things with your tenant during the lease signing so everyone is on the same page upon entering the relationship.

Sacramento investors can protect their properties better by paying attention to preventative maintenance. Have your HVAC system inspected and serviced annually, and make sure you have someone trim the tree branches away from the building and clean the gutters.

A good Sacramento property management company can help you communicate with and manage your tenants. If you have any questions about maintenance items and who should be paying for them, please contact us at Titan Property Management.