Tenant's Handbook: Managing Common Rental Maintenance

Knowing the common rental maintenance tasks you must take care of is critical for maintaining a comfortable living space. Whether you're renting out an apartment or an entire house, you must be aware of the everyday tasks you need to complete. 

There are more than 44 million rented households in the United States, making it more than likely that you will face a rental inspection at some point. This article will take you through the most important, regular maintenance tasks you need to take care of as a resident. 

What Happens If I Fail My Rental Inspection?

If you fail your rental inspection, there may be a few different consequences you need to be prepared for. The property manager will certainly insist that you address the issues they've identified during the inspection. Depending on the problem, you may be financially liable for covering the cost of repairs or replacements. 

Your manager will likely give you a specific period of time to fix the problem or problems. It would help if you addressed them within this time frame or as quickly as possible to avoid fines or even legal action. 

If your issues were discovered during a move-out inspection, you could expect the required amount of money to fix the problems to be deducted from your security deposit. 

Repeated failure to pass inspections or neglecting significant maintenance issues may lead to legal actions, such as eviction, especially if it violates the terms of your lease agreement.

On the other hand, if you failed the inspection due to something you think the property manager should be responsible for, you will need to clarify your position. This can include reminding the manager of your maintenance requests, providing photo documentation, and, if necessary, consulting your local laws regarding what to do in this situation. 

5 Expert Common Maintenance Tips For Tenants

As a resident, it's essential to maintain a clean, functioning, and up-to-date living space. Not only does it make your quality of life better, but it also helps to maintain a good relationship with your property manager. 

There are a few standard maintenance tasks that almost all residents will need to take care of at one point or another. 

This section will take you through these expert tips for tenants and explain their importance in helping you pass a rental inspection. 

Regular Maintenance And Cleaning 

One of the best ways to avoid failing a rental inspection is to keep your property in good condition through regular cleaning and maintenance. This enhances the overall appearance of your space while also preventing the build-up of grime and the occurrence of related issues. 

One of the first things that managers look for during an inspection is whether or not your space is generally clean. If there is clear dust and dirt built up in the carpets, on the counter, and throughout the unit, you're far more likely to fail (even if there are no other issues). 

For example, neglecting to clean air filters in your HVAC system can reduce its efficiency and lead to increased energy bills. Similarly, keeping the gutters clean can prevent water damage to the property if you live in an area where it rains a lot. 

You should consult your lease or talk to your manager to determine how many maintenance issues you're responsible for and how much they'll take care of. 

Report Issues Promptly

If you want to ensure that all apartment maintenance issues are resolved, you'll need to report them as soon as you notice them. This allows them to be addressed before they worsen and you potentially fail an inspection. 

Plus, immediately reporting issues shows that you're a responsible resident who cares about your home. This will undoubtedly put you in the property manager's good graces and make it far more likely they will work with you on any issues in the future. 

For example, suppose you notice a leaky faucet in your kitchen or a water stain on the ceiling. In that case, it's essential to report it to your manager immediately to prevent water damage and potential mold growth.

Use All Appliances Properly 

Make sure you also take care of the appliances on your property. This means cleaning them regularly and using them as the manufacturer intended. This helps to extend their lifespan and prevent unnecessary breakdowns.

Mishandling appliances can lead to costly repairs or replacements, ultimately impacting your property manager's willingness to renew your lease or return your security deposit.

Take Care Of Outdoor Areas 

It's also important to take care of your outdoor areas. This can include a garden, patio, balcony, and more. If you pay attention to this area, it may be easy to fix quickly before a rental inspection. 

They are just as important as the property's interior, and you may fail a rental inspection because of them. For example, you'll want to regularly mow the lawn, trim bushes, and keep the patio or balcony clean from debris.

Some outdoor areas may be harder to take care of than others, especially if you live in an especially snowy or rainy zone. You should talk to your manager about what they expect concerning your outdoor spaces and how much maintenance work they will take care of. 

Check Smoke Alarms And Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Your safety and the safety of others on the property are of utmost importance. You can ensure you don't fail a rental inspection because of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors if you regularly check to ensure they're functioning correctly.

You should test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly by pressing the test button. You may need to replace batteries at least once a year and, if required, inform your manager immediately if any of these devices aren't working correctly.

Use RentCheck To Track Common Rental Maintenance Tasks

Maintaining your rental property is very important to being a responsible resident. If you adhere to a regular cleaning process, report maintenance issues as soon as you see them, and respect both indoor and outdoor areas, you'll be sure to pass any rental inspection. 

To make this process simpler, we recommend using RentCheck. RentCheck is an innovative platform designed to help residents like you easily stay on top of maintenance responsibilities.

If you're worried about maintenance tasks getting out of hand or forgotten, check out RentCheck today! Sign up now and experience a stress-free and organized approach to managing every day rental maintenance tasks.

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