That’s why you need to learn your maintenance responsibilities to be a successful landlord. The following are 6 expert tips on how a landlord should maintain their rental property. Keep reading to learn more!
Know Your Responsibilities
You need to understand all your responsibilities before you get started. First off, please note that you can only rent out a habitable home. In other words, the unit must meet certain health and safety standards and building codes. Under Chapter 92 of the Texas Property Code, a rental unit must have the following.
- Hot and cold running water.
- Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Fix clogs and leaks that can potentially flood the property.
- Ensure the property doesn’t have any known mold before renting it out.
- Exterminate all infestations, such as mice, roaches, ants, or bed bugs before a tenant can move in.
- Ensure doors and locks are working as they should.
Repair the Unit on Time
Keeping a unit in good condition means responding quickly to property maintenance requests made by tenants. A small issue, like a water leak, can turn into bigger problems such as mold or even electrical hazards.
In Texas, landlords are required to make repairs within 7-14 days, with urgent issues like sewage backup needing attention within 3 days. If these timelines aren’t met, tenants might have the right to break the lease or handle the repairs themselves and deduct the costs from rent.
Inform Tenants of Maintenance Responsibilities
Before the tenant can sign the lease, let them know what their maintenance responsibilities will be. This will help you highlight your expectations to the tenant to minimize potential conflicts or misunderstandings.
The following are some of the things you can require them to do regarding maintenance.
- Maintain the rental’s habitability.
- Use the provided fixtures and amenities reasonably and for their intended purposes.
- Make small repairs and maintenance, such as replacing burnt-out light bulbs in the unit.
- Promptly notify the landlord when repairs and maintenance are required in the unit.
- Prevent mold growth by preventing the accumulation of excessive moisture in their unit.
- Not disturb potential lead-based hazards. In Texas, landlords must provide tenants with information about lead-based paint concentrations. This is especially true if renting out a unit built before 1978.
You can also let the tenant know that it’d be a serious lease violation not to carry out such responsibilities.
Conduct a Walk-Through Inspection
Before a tenant can move out, make sure to conduct a walk-through inspection of their rented premises. This can help you document the condition of the property vis-à-vis the move-in condition.
If you come across any damage exceeding normal wear and tear, hold the tenant liable for the cost of fixing. If they move out without making the fixes, then make appropriate deductions from their deposit.
After the deductions, you’ll then need to send the remaining portion of the deposit to the tenant within 30 days. Remember to include a written, itemized list of the damages and their approximate repair costs.
Regular Property Inspection
No one is ever going to care for your property better than you would! As such, make sure to inspect the property from time to time, especially to catch costs that landlords don’t notice they are accruing.
Now, there are four types of rental inspections a landlord can carry out in a rental property.
- Seasonal inspections for when seasons change, as that can result in unique maintenance challenges. During summers, for instance, you’ll want to water the lawn regularly, ensure the A/C is working efficiently, and test the working of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Drive-by inspections that can help you assess the property’s condition from the outside. For this reason, you won’t need to notify the tenant before entry.
- Move-in inspection for when a tenant is moving in for the first time.
- Move-out inspection for when a tenant is vacating the property at the end of their lease term. Use the move-in inspection checklist as a reference point to check for damages exceeding normal wear and tear.
For a proper inspection, make sure to have a checklist that covers all important areas.
Also, remember to notify the tenant before entry to prevent potential landlord harassment claims. Although Texas law doesn’t specify the notice amount, a 24-hour advance notice usually suffices. The time of entry must also be within normal business hours.
Hire a Property Management Company
Rental maintenance can be anything but easy for first-time landlords. You may not be able to respond to maintenance issues on time. Imagine getting a call from a tenant in the wee hours of the night due to electrical shorts or sparks. Can be inconvenient, right?
What’s more, you’ll most likely not have the contact details of reliable and professional vendors and contractors.
That’s why most first-time rental investors choose experienced property managers to handle their responsibilities. They will have the expertise to handle everything for you so you can enjoy peace of mind.
Conclusion
Maintaining your rental property isn’t optional! You’ll need to do so not only to meet the legal requirements, but also to ensure an optimal return on investment. Among other things, it can help you attract and retain quality tenants. You’ll also be able to protect your property’s value.
If you’re a first-time landlord or just having challenges maintaining your Houston rental property, look no further than Real Property Management Prestige. We’re a trusted and affordable solution for property owners in Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas. Get in touch to learn more!