Repairs & Maintenance Obligations With Rental Properties

It is the responsibility of the landlord to maintain residential rental property as well as repair any defects. In the majority of states there are laws governing the meaning of habitable, which will list the minimum standard that tenants need in order to live in a safe, decent, and sanitary home that is suitable for human habitation.

Many times tenants are unaware that they can do anything about the conditions of the rental property, which is often not true. The repairs that are needed may not fall under the laws governing “suitable for human habitation”. If you have holes in the carpet, discolored paint, or stained tubs this is not something that is covered by the laws. However, major problems that can cause injuries or are health risks must be fixed by your landlord. Some of the repairs include stairways, plumbing, heating, electrical, roofs, floors, supplying hot and cold water, and infestations of pests.

On the other hand, if any of the major repairs were caused by you or a family member the repair bill can be transferred to you and will be your responsibility to pay. An example of this would be if one of your children flushed a toy down the toilet and a repairman had to come to repair the plumbing. If you do not pay for the repairs, the money can be taken from your security deposit when you move.

In some cases, the landlord will also have to pay for some repairs such as carpet with holes that may be a hazard that can cause a fall.

To learn about the laws governing landlord repairs and maintenance in your state you should contact a real estate attorney. An eviction attorney will be able to explain if the repairs that you need to make you comfortable in your rental home are acceptable under the law as repairs that your landlord will need to pay.