Landlord Maintenance vs. Tenant Maintenance

[Dani Marie B.]

I am curious how other Landlords handled "maintenance". And I use the word lightly  because what I am referring to is things such as replacement of light bulbs, changing smoke detector batteries, clogged sinks, etc. 

What are your policies as to what you do and what the tenant should handle or attempt to handle at least before calling you in? The tenants we currently have were already renters when we bought our building and they all have verbal "month to month" at will leases.

Obviously big item maintenance we handle ourselves or hire a handyman or professional. But I'm speaking of more little things as mentioned above. 

Thank you for your help

[Richard C.]

You want to be the one to change smoke detector batteries (actually, you want hard-wired smoke detectors, or the one with the sealed, 10-year batteries, but that is another discussion.)

But something like smoke detectors, which if negelected can literally cause loss of life, not to mention extreme financial liability, is something very different from light bulbs.

I have a fire prevention company on contract.  They test the detectors and replace/recharge the extinguishers on a strict schedule, which is carefully documented.  I get a significant insurance discount as a result.