What should I provide as a landlord?

Question

Two specific questions, but I hope this covers the general subject of what a landlord should provide.
For one, what about HVAC filters? I want my system kept clean, so should I provide filters for the HVAC?
Second, how much fuel in an oil heat system should I be sure is in system before I rent the property? How do I credit or get credit for fuel I provide while tenant gets situated?

Thanks. Looking forward to.your replies.

Bret Bordwell · Answer

So far the replies have been what I expected, thank you. I never considered a user manual. I guess the manual makes sense with something like a boiler or other non-standard appliance.

What about light bulbs for permanent fixtures, or porch lights. I can see supplying batteries for smoke detectors. I am sure this is different for differing unit types, like porch 
Ights in a multi unit property.

I like the reason for providing the HVAC filter, to give an excuse for a look see in the unit while you change the filter.

Steve Babiak · Answer

Heating oil is usually handled the way car rental companies handle the gasoline in the tank.  The challenge is to avoid having the heating oil level drop so low that the stuff at the bottom of the tank enters into the heating unit, since this tends to cause trouble.

Now, there are some other things a landlord should provide - manuals for how to operate any appliances, for example.  Was the intent of your thread to bring up some of these other things too?

Ryan M. · Answer

Furnace filters can be picked up for 75 cents and it's great way to have a reason to go in the unit. Take the long way to the furnace finding issues before they are a problem. I was changing a filter a couple weeks ago and could smell someone had been smoking in there laced under all the air freshner they sprayed before I came in. Good way to nip things in the butt. Leave the filters to the tenants and it won't get done.

Robert R. · Answer

HVAC filters are so cheap. If they concern you, I would provide them as a land lord. Furthermore, replacing them gives one a good excuse to enter the property, replace the filter, and give the property a once over in the meantime.

Oil heat: in the past when I rented, the lease spelled out the remainder of oil like the amount of gas in a rental car. If the tank was half full, then I needed at least half tank of oil in the tank when I vacated. This arrangement worked for me and my landlord. Also the tank had a level gauge attached to it. 
If not, you could just arrange to leave the tank full. Any difference could come from the security. 
If the security deposit is not close to covering a full tank of oil, then you could leave the tank 1/4-1/8th full and expect nothing from the tenants, hoping they don't drain it completely thus requiring a call to an HVAC service.

I would be interested to hear other landlords input in this.