Are leaking/dripping faucets landlords responsibility to pay for?

Question

Are all leaking or dripping faucets that I discover in my move-out inspections for my tenants my responsibility to pay for to fix? My faucets are pretty old so I am assuming this should be normal wear and tear but I am wondering if it is the landlord's responsibility to pay for leaking or dripping faucets for new/newer faucets as well. We would not charge the tenant for leaking or dripping faucets that we find after they move out, correct?

Basically, one of the sides of the faucet of one of my tenants who has moved out keeps running (not just dripping, but actually running) when in the completely turned off position. My other tenant has a leaking kitchen faucet that leaks from the knob/cartridge and faucet base when turned on but is able to be completely turned off.

Thank you!

Theresa Harris · Answer

If the faucets are old, I'd get a plumber in to fix or replace them. Unless the tenant has done something to damage them, I'd chalk it up to normal wear and tear. The fact that it is two tenants with similar problems, suggests it isn't the tenants.

Marcus Auerbach · Answer

@Frankie Parker in addition to above: your attitude towards the property will be reflected by your tenants! If you take good care of it odds are better they will too. Get things done proactivley instead of when it absolutley has to be done. It's more cost effective this way - for example do one plumbing upgrade instead of 10 small fixes over 2 years.

It's your asset, treat it this way!

Steve K. · Answer

@Frankie Parker Yes, leaky faucets are the LL responsibility and it’s in your best interest to take care of them ASAP. Encourage tenants to report these things right away so you can fix them promptly before you end up with water damage, and conduct quarterly inspections so you can catch things like this when tenants don’t report them.

Maria S. · Answer

The thing that caught my attention is that you're discovering dripping/leaking faucets at move-out. Your tenants should be notifying you about those and you should be replacing them/fixing them promptly. Water kills your investment quickly. If your faucets are leaking, your sinks are most likely also leaking and destroying your cabinets/floors and subfloors underneath. The reason I am saying this is that in my experience, faucets and sink drains are installed at the same time and those drains are the same age as the faucets.

If your tenants did not care to tell you that they cannot shut off one side of the faucet, they also did not bother to tell you about the wet spot underneath.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

It is usually the Landlord's responsibility to repair/replace anything that belongs to the rental, except for consumables (e.g. light bulbs or smoke detector batteries). When a faucet wears out, you want to repair or replace it.

Kar Sun · Answer

Yes. I also prefer to fix my fixtures myself. Great way to visit the property to see what condition it is in and to ensure the job will be done right.

Jonathan G. · Answer

@Frankie Parker

This would be your responsibility as the LL and considered normal wear and tear.

Lien Vuong · Answer

Yes absolutely your fixture to maintain and repair when necessary, especially given that it's your water bill you have to take care of. It is better for to inform the tenants that they need to notify you of the leak or drip however but that's not always what they're willing to do.

Michael Noto · Answer

This is standard and is your responsibility.

Peter Tverdov · Answer

There is a reasonable standard of care you need to provide as a landlord. Yes, you need to replace leaking faucets, shower heads, tub spouts, etc. Things wear down on a home, especially a rental property. This is even more important if you're paying the water bill as the owner.

Are leaking/dripping faucets landlords responsibility to pay for?

Are leaking/dripping faucets landlords responsibility to pay for?

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