Who is responsible for the following?

Question

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all well.

I am still educating myself on rental property investing and have a quick question to you if you would not mind.

If I have a rental property and a tenant is living there:

If for any reason for example, the faucet of the kitchen leaks water or breaks, or anything related to the bathroom gets damaged, or for example the fridge gets damaged. As a landlord I am responsible of that, correct? Is there any insurance of those types of damages, like Lemonade for example ? (since I am renting now, I have Lemonade insurance, since it is required by the building ahahah )

Thank you all :)

Best,

Antonio

Eliott Elias · Answer

You should have it all in your lease. If correct, you stated that fridge, washer/dryer maintenance falls under tenant responsibility. Leaks or water breaks (not caused by tenant negligence) is your responsibility. Not everything has to be fixed up front, unless safety and living standards is compromised.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

You are responsible for maintaining the home to ensure it is functional and safe. If something breaks because of tenant abuse or neglect, then they are responsible for repairing it.

How can you tell the difference? It's usually pretty obvious but sometimes you won't know and have to make a guess based on other tenant behavior.

Greg M. · Answer

You take detailed pictures of the place at time of move-in. You also have it in your lease (with a place for the tenants to initial) that they have inspected the place prior to move-in and that everything is in working condition.

Professional repairmen can also tell what broke due to wear and what was abused.

Antonio Chelala · Answer

Very true, that's what I even had to do as a renter, confirm everything is in condition at the time of move in. At the time of move-out check if there is any difference and deduct from the security deposit. Can I trust the property manager to take the pictures for me?

Antonio Chelala · Answer

Makes sense, should I ask a lawyer to make sure it is included in the lease? Any example of sections you would have by any chance?

Thanks!

Antonio Chelala · Answer

Understandable, thanks a lot!

Antonio Chelala · Answer

Oh! But how would you know if it was actually the tenant or not? because there is definitely people that will claim they didn't damage the thing.

Theresa Harris · Answer

If something is damaged by the tenant, they are responsible for paying for it.  Your insurance won't cover deliberate damage by a tenant.

Who is responsible for the following?

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