Most landlords understand the responsibilities of renting out a property in Prosser. Some things are pretty obvious. You probably know that you must provide a safe and habitable home for your tenants, and you likely understand the need to maintain that home.
Tenants have their own responsibilities, which are also easy to understand: they have to pay rent. They also have to follow the lease terms and keep the property reasonably clean and maintained.
But, what about utilities and landscaping? Who changes the air filters and manages pest control? These are the questions that need to be answered in the lease agreement. There are many ways to organize and divide the duties that aren’t so obvious. The important thing is to make sure that all parties understand their responsibilities.
Habitability is a Prosser Landlord Responsibility
In Washington, you’re required to provide a safe and habitable home for your tenants. What does this mean?
Specifically, this means the property has to be structurally sound. The home has to be clean and free of leaks, mold, and safety issues. Tenants will need to access running water, electricity, and heat.
Habitability is a critical responsibility for all landlords. When you rent out a Prosser property, you are required to keep that home in good working order for the tenant at all times. You need to respond right away to habitability maintenance issues such as plumbing and electrical problems. It’s also important to keep appliances operational.
Landlords are Responsible for Communicating
Landlords in Prosser are also responsible for treating tenants respectfully and professionally.
Be open and communicative and remember that while you own the property, your tenants are living there – it’s their home. Tenants are entitled to privacy and quiet enjoyment. You can’t show up unannounced whenever you feel like it. Tenants will notice if you’re slowly driving past the home every few days. Don’t be a nuisance.
Make sure communication is open, welcome, and transparent. You want to be responsive to the needs of your tenants, especially if you aim to retain them.
Prosser Tenant Responsibilities and the Lease Agreement
While maintaining the home is predominantly your responsibility as the owner, you can expect your tenant to take care of minor issues. Just make sure all responsibilities are clearly stated in the lease and reinforced before they move in.
You might require tenants to:
- Change air filters
- Change smoke detector batteries
- Replace light bulbs when they burn out
- General lawn care such as mowing
Tenants are also responsible for reporting maintenance issues as they occur. Deferred and unreported repairs will only lead to more expensive and costly problems, so you want to avoid them. Make sure your tenants understand that you want to hear about maintenance issues right away.
Tenants are Responsible for Damage
You will pay for most repairs, unless they’re caused by a tenant or a tenant’s guest. For example, if a window gets broken because golf balls are being hit across the backyard, that’s your tenant’s responsibility.
Be clear about responsibilities before the lease begins so there won’t be any misunderstandings or conflicts. A good relationship with your tenant will also help you engage in ongoing discussions about responsibilities and the shared upkeep of the Prosser rental property.
We can help with all of your Prosser property management needs. For more information, please contact us at Real Estate Gladiators.
