According to data from Zillow, the average house price in Bellevue, WA, has gone up by 63.8% over the last five years. The area has an active real estate market that you can benefit from with the right approach.
There are plenty of things to know when investing in rental properties. It's crucial to understand what you're responsible for and what your tenants should be taking care of.
In this guide, we'll look at where certain property maintenance responsibilities lie. Let's get started.
A Tenant's Legal Property Maintenance Responsibilities
The first thing to note when it comes to tenant maintenance responsibilities is that (as with much property law) things can vary depending on the location. You want to be sure you're up to date with the law in Washington state to avoid any issues.
With that said, tenant maintenance responsibilities are largely quite similar. In general, tenants are responsible primarily for keeping the property clean. They may also be responsible for small repairs.
Some common tasks that tenants should take care of include:
- Disposing of trash and recyclables
- Changing lightbulbs
- Cleaning household appliances
- Basic yard care
- Reporting leaks or other damage
Solid maintenance strategies are built on clarity. You should have details in your lease agreement that highlight tenant maintenance responsibilities, even if they may seem obvious. Being clear about what's expected will help minimize the risk of confusion or disagreements.
Optional Tenant Maintenance Responsibilities
There are certain rental property care tasks that are typically down to the landlord. Your lease agreement shouldn't ask tenants to carry out any tasks that are legally you're responsibility - unless this is discussed with the tenant beforehand and they agree to it.
Some landlords will offer incentives in such situations. For example, you might offer a rent deduction if they take responsibility for certain tasks. Some common examples of these include:
- Regularly cleaning or replacing the HVAC filter
- Mowing the lawn
- Raking leaves
- Keeping an outdoor HVAC unit clean
In some cases, it's simpler for the tenant to deal with these. For example, if there is a small backyard, mowing the lawn isn't a huge job. It can be beneficial for both you and your tenants, potentially improving tenant relations which may prompt more lease renewals.
Bear in mind that you're still responsible for keeping the property safe and habitable. If any injuries or other issues occur due to your tenants carrying out these optional tasks, you could be liable.
Make sure you consider all options carefully. Alternatively, you could hire a property manager. They can handle any real estate maintenance tasks on your behalf to eliminate the risk of injuries to your tenants.
Looking After Your Rental Properties
Tenants are typically responsible for simple property maintenance tasks, and you can specify these in your lease agreements. It can be beneficial to hire a property manager to oversee your property maintenance and ensure everything goes smoothly.
PMI Arka is a full-service real estate asset management company. We serve Bellevue and the surrounding communities We have years of experience and use cutting-edge technology to deliver the best results at all times. Take a look at our property management page to find out more about our services.
