What is renter/landlord responsible for?

Yorktown, NY · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 3 votes

Hi, I’d like to I know what should the renter be responsible for when renting a house? For example the landscaping, the oil, obviously the coned and cable will be the renters responsibility but was really interested in the landscaping and making sure there is enough oil to run the heat and hot water, please let me know what you think? I was also interested in who would be responsible for the yearly maintenance on the air conditioning system and boiler? Thank you!!!

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member

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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes

@Anthony A. The landlord is typically responsible for keeping the home operational and safe. This means you fix issues with the heat or electrical, you repair or replace appliances, etc. If your heat operates on oil, then you would normally require the tenant to provide that as a utility expense because it's a consumable product and they are the one consuming it. Electric, water, trash, and other consumables are normally treated the same. I agree with @James Wise that landscaping on a single-family home is typically a tenant responsibility and on multifamily properties I hire someone to maintain the landscaping because it is shared by all tenants. this is a judgement call because some tenants do not take good care of lawns so I have owners with nicer properties that include landscaping as part of the rent just to ensure it's done properly. Whatever you decide on, make sure the responsibilities are clearly delineated in your lease agreement.

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James Wise
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
7y
Originally posted by @Anthony A.:
Hi, I’d like to I know what should the renter be responsible for when renting a house? For example the landscaping, the oil, obviously the coned and cable will be the renters responsibility but was really interested in the landscaping and making sure there is enough oil to run the heat and hot water, please let me know what you think? I was also interested in who would be responsible for the yearly maintenance on the air conditioning system and boiler? Thank you!!!
Landscaping can generally be determined by you the Landlord when you are drafting your lease. My recommendation is to always put it on tenants who are living in single family homes & keep it on the landlord / Property Manager when it's a multi family dwelling.
Typically speaking most if not all of the state's will require the landlord to maintain habitable living conditions for the tenant. This means ensuring that their aren't any roof leaks & that the heating, plumbing & electrical systems all work.
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Anthony A.
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Yorktown, NY · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 3 votes
7y
Thank you @James Wise
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Bryce LitwinPro Member
Danville, PA · Member since 2015 · 58 posts · 58 votes
7y
Landlord responsible to make sure the furnace works, tenant responsible to pay for the oil/gas/electricity.
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
7y
@Anthony A. The landlord is typically responsible for keeping the home operational and safe. This means you fix issues with the heat or electrical, you repair or replace appliances, etc. If your heat operates on oil, then you would normally require the tenant to provide that as a utility expense because it's a consumable product and they are the one consuming it. Electric, water, trash, and other consumables are normally treated the same. I agree with @James Wise that landscaping on a single-family home is typically a tenant responsibility and on multifamily properties I hire someone to maintain the landscaping because it is shared by all tenants. this is a judgement call because some tenants do not take good care of lawns so I have owners with nicer properties that include landscaping as part of the rent just to ensure it's done properly. Whatever you decide on, make sure the responsibilities are clearly delineated in your lease agreement.
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