The United States Census Bureau reports that in 2023, over 21 million renters spent over 30% of their income paying for housing. With many households spending a significant portion of their money on rent, landlords must offer excellent services.
As a property owner in Sarasota, FL, you must prioritize property maintenance to keep your investment in the best condition. While your tenants will be responsible for some upkeep tasks, you also have legal duties.
Let's explore the tenants' duties and landlord responsibilities to avoid confusion and help you build good relationships.
Legal Tenant Maintenance Responsibilities
Typical tenant property maintenance duties include:
- General property upkeep
- Reporting issues to landlords
- Using rental property systems correctly
Your tenants must keep their units clean and dispose of trash correctly. They must also promptly notify you about significant damages or necessary repairs.
Tenants have to apply preventative property maintenance measures to avoid system failure. For example, they must correctly use your HVAC and plumbing systems. They should also ensure safety when handling appliances to prevent electrical fires and other hazards.
If a tenant doesn't abide by such property maintenance duties, you can do the following:
- Use the security deposit to cover rental repairs
- Issue a notice to cure
- Terminate the lease
- Evict them
Optional Tenant Maintenance Responsibilities
While you're responsible for most major property maintenance tasks, you can still liaise with your tenants to make work easier. For example, you may ask them to do the following in exchange for a slight rent reduction:
- Rake leaves
- Cut the grass
- Change HVAC filters
- Inspect equipment for damages
You can't ask your tenants to sign a lease requiring them to do anything that's your responsibility. If they fail to do an optional task despite agreeing to it and the issues cause an accident or damage, you will be liable.
Legal Landlord Responsibilities
As a landlord, you must ensure your Sarasota, FL, property is livable and safe for all tenants. Your legal responsibilities will include:
- Structural maintenance
- Maintaining common areas
- Landlord inspections
Structure maintenance may include repairing the roof, doors, and windows to keep pests away and avoid leaks. If your property has shared amenities, also you're responsible for keeping them safe and clean. You need to do the following:
- Keep the spaces well-lit and free of clutter
- Ensure parking lots or gardens are safe and well-maintained
- Repair shared facilities in case of damage
Regular property inspections will help you conduct timely repairs and hold tenants accountable. According to The Florida Legislature, you should always give your tenants at least a 24-hour notice before the inspection. During the process, you can:
- Look for leaks and broken appliances
- Check for equipment safety
- Ensure electrical systems are functional
Fulfilling your responsibilities as a landlord will avoid legal disputes and related costs. Further, it prevents tenants from breaking leases and increasing vacancy rates.
Simplify Property Maintenance With Paradise Palm Property Management
Property maintenance is a shared responsibility between Sarasota landlords and tenants. Understanding your duties and the tenants' may help avoid disputes and costly damages.
Paradise Palm Property Management handles all landlords' legal duties for an affordable fee. We will keep your Sarasota property in excellent condition and help you avoid the stress of following up with residents.
Contact us for efficient property maintenance.
