Is being a Landlord Challenging Work?
Before a tenant moves in, it’s the landlord’s obligation to make sure that the property is up to local and federal housing code. If a landlord fails to address a known problem in a timely fashion, he could get into big trouble. City and county housing authorities establish strict minimum standards for electricity, plumbing, paint (lead-free), lighting, ventilation and structural integrity. The severity of the problem usually dictates how quickly it gets fixed. Once the tenant moves in, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to repair anything that breaks on the property, from a burned-out light bulb in the stairwell down to leaky faucets. Many cities also require safety measures like dead bolts on all exterior doors, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers in each unit.
If the landlord is considering yearlong rather than month-to-month leases, he should make that clear as well. This is another way to double-check that the unit is right for the tenant. The purpose of the rental application is to have written proof that the tenant has the income and financial stability to pay the rent on time and that he has a solid rental history with no evictions, legal problems with landlords or history of missed payments. It’s also recommended that the landlord talk to all potential tenants over the phone before meeting at the rental property. At an appointment to show the apartment, the landlord should come prepared with a rental application. By listing all of these details in the ad, neither the landlord nor the potential tenant wastes time discussing or walking through a dwelling that’s wrong for the client’s needs.
So what’s normal use? This is something that needs to be clearly explained in the lease. But, for example, if a tenant illegally uses his apartment to run a small bakery, and the constant heat from the oven permanently damages the kitchen tiles and peels away the paint on the ceiling, that’s not normal use. Each of these situations is considered normal use. For example, carpets get dirty, paint gets chipped and drains get clogged.
If a tenant doesn’t keep up with his end of the lease or rental agreement, it’s the landlord’s right to initiate eviction proceedings. If a tenant isn’t paying rent or has repeatedly broken rules laid out in the code of conduct , the landlord has the right to begin the official eviction process. Some slumlords wrongfully evict tenants or use intimidation tactics to force low-income tenants out of a building so the owner can lawfully renovate it and turn it into a hotel or high-priced apartments – https://bangkok.thaibounty.com/2020/03/10/knowing-these-six-secrets-will-make-your-ziniza-place-hotel-bangkok-look-amazing/ – . Evictions must follow a strict legal process. We’ll talk more about how evictions work in the next section. Unscrupulous landlords who have no intention of making repairs or improvements to a property are commonly known as slumlords.
The terms of the agreement help protect the landlord against irresponsible tenants and protect the tenant against overzealous or illegal landlords. Upon termination of the lease, that money will be paid back to the tenant (with interest, in some states) unless the tenant has damaged the property beyond normal wear and tear. Security deposits are the most common cause of legal disputes between landlords and tenants. Landlords and tenants should pay particular attention to the language in the lease regarding the security deposit and how it will be used. There are several important distinctions here. The money is lent — not paid — to the landlord.
For lots more information about real estate and financial management, follow the helpful links on the next page. It generally involves long, unpredictable hours and potentially phone calls and emails from upset tenants. A landlord’s responsibility to his tenants is to provide a safe, functional living space that meets both local and federal housing codes. Is being a landlord challenging work? The amount of work increases as landlords buy more properties, which is why they sometimes contract the day to day work out. What are the legal responsibilities of a landlord? While it may seem like an easy job from a tenant’s point of view, it can be quite difficult, frustrating work.
