All Forum Posts by: Frankie Parker

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!

To make the answers unbiased for either side, I would like to ask this question both as a tenant and landlord. Please be impartial in your answers and answer as if you were both the tenant and landlord as well.

Are tenants responsible for re-caulking worn or damaged caulking? Let's say my tenant has stayed in my rental property for 2+ years and the caulking around the house is breaking down, cracking/splitting, and some caulking in the bathroom has turned black.

1. Is the tenant responsible for re-caulking all areas where the caulking has broken down? (This caulking breaking down was due to time so I assume the tenant is not responsible correct?)

2. Is the tenant responsible for re-caulking the areas in the caulking in the bathroom that have turned black due to time and regular use? (not sure about this one)

3. Is the tenant responsible for re-caulking the areas in the caulking that have split or broken down due to foundation shifting? (I assume not, correct?)

Thank you!

I have a question regarding smaller items in rental properties, such as pillows, door mats, small floor mats, bed covers, etc. To make the answers unbiased for either side, I would like to ask this question both as a tenant and landlord. Please be impartial in your answers and answer as if you were both the tenant and landlord as well. 

Are tenants responsible for any wear and tear, cleaning, or replacement of these smaller items if they are not specifically listed in the lease? Let's say I supply pillows, door/floor mats, bed covers, in my rental properties but I do not specifically list them anywhere in my lease. Undoubtedly there will be wear and tear on these smaller items. I am confused what the tenant is and is not responsible for regarding these smaller items. What if some of the items such as doormats were already worn/used upon move-in from the last tenant?

Do tenants have to replace these items themselves if they are too worn down from use or can they just throw them away upon move out? Obviously if they are too worn the next tenant would probably not want them or want to use them. Are they supposed to leave all of these smaller items in the rental property upon move-out if they are worn/dirty from use?

Thank you!

I have 2 questions regarding furnished rental properties:

1. Can tenants legally take your furniture if they are not specifically included in your lease?

Let's say I furnish my rental property with a bed, tables, chairs, and a sofa and that I do NOT include them in the lease. Can my tenant legally take all of this furniture and keep it as their own upon move-out since I didn't include them in my lease? 

2. IF they cannot take this furniture (which I assume they can since they are not in the lease), are they responsible for any damages to the furniture since they are not specifically listed in the lease?

I am assuming the answer to these questions doesn't matter what state you are located in but if it does, I am in Texas and am a new RE investor.

Thank you!