Are Landlords or Tenants Responsible for Maintenance Tasks?

There are many instances where it would be unusual for a landlord to visit a rental to complete mundane maintenance tasks such as changing a lightbulb, plunging a toilet, or cleaning interior spaces. More than half of our survey respondents agree that the responsibility of changing and purchasing a light bulb belongs to the tenant. While 48% of tenants said that the tenant is responsible for unclogging a sink, 52% said this job should be tasked to the landlord.

If a tenant needs to enlist the help of a landlord for a clogged sink, the landlord will usually call on a plumber, which can be pricey. When your tenant reports a clogged sink, walk them through some easy-to-do steps to assess the problem before you get involved. 

First, ask them to remove the sink stopper and remove any grime or hair causing the blockage. Second, see if they can unclog the drain with a sink plunger. If none of these steps work, the last step before calling a plumber would be to remove the p-trap with a pipe wrench and clear out any obstruction––however, this final step may be tricky for many tenants.

Most landlords manage rental property maintenance, but what that entails may vary from what state and national laws regulate the agreed-upon lease terms. 

Be responsive to your tenant’s maintenance requests. You can often walk them through the maintenance issues or address them yourself if the problems are minor before hiring a professional. The property manager should hire a professional for major repairs, like handling plumbing fixtures, water damage, mold issues, or seasonal maintenance tasks. 

Choose the right tenant with confidence

Screen applicants thoroughly with credit, background, and income verification—so you reduce risk, avoid surprises, and protect your rental income.

Get Started for Free

Outlining major and minor repairs in the lease terms

All tenant maintenance requests should be handled by the landlord professionally and promptly. Give the renter proper notice of when they can expect a maintenance visit. Whether your tenants live in a single-family dwelling or an apartment complex, the rental agreement should state which maintenance responsibilities, including minor and major repairs, the landlord is responsible for.

In Ontario and Alberta, the landlord has to comply with the landlord responsibilities in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) even if the lease terms do not list RTA rules, which include maintaining electrical, plumbing, heating systems, and appliances. 

State and local laws govern each U.S. state. In Texas, landlords must make reasonable repairs within a timely manner––at most seven days. Landlord responsibilities in Florida largely depend on what’s agreed on in the lease terms and what type of rental unit the landlord is managing. If there is no applicable building code, the landlord’s responsibility for repairs includes maintaining the plumbing, roof, windows, screens, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls, and foundations. In all states, landlord-tenant laws require a habitable condition with hot water and heating.

Replacing light bulbs and unclogging a garbage disposal may seem like a menial, easy repair, but for some people, this could present an issue for them based on their circumstances. It is up to the landlord’s discretion If they want to establish a relationship with the tenant and agree to help them with minor repairs and maintenance, such as: 

• Replacing light bulbs
• Replacing furnace filters
• Clogged toilets that can be resolved with a plunger
• Clogged garbage disposal

The landlord needs to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities.

Ultimately, your goal is to guarantee a rental income and to protect the property’s value by overseeing major repairs and managing the overall maintenance schedule. Some repairs and maintenance that commonly fall upon the landlord include: 

• Gutter cleaning
• Large appliance repairs
• Lawn care
• Bed bugs
• Pest control
• Fixtures and faucets

Once the tenant moves out, it’s up to the property manager to refresh the rental’s appearance and repair normal wear to the rental property caused by the previous tenancy.

Landlords are not responsible for minor appliance repairs or replacements, including:

• Microwaves
• Coffee makers
• Air fryers 

Defining the maintenance terms in the rental agreement will avoid any misunderstanding between you and the tenant.

Tenant maintenance responsibilities

Despite the landlords bearing the brunt of many more substantial maintenance responsibilities, residents must also keep the rental clean and maintain certain areas of the property. For example, a tenant is responsible for removing garbage from a dwelling, maintaining sanitary conditions, and removing snow from the property, with the exception of roofs.  It’s considered a liability for the tenant to remove snow and ice from the roof, and the property owner is risking damage to the structure. When snow or ice accumulates on a roof, it can cause minor to severe damage, such as causing the roof to collapse.

The landlord is responsible for maintaining a habitable living condition for the tenant. Some seasonal maintenance tasks are better for the landlord to handle or to hire professionals to manage.

Creating a maintenance calendar for residential properties

Before the initial move-in inspection, formulate an annual maintenance checklist.

Month-to-month maintenance checklist:

• Does the rental need monthly pest control services?
• Does the rental need monthly lawn care?

Seasonal maintenance checklist:

• Schedule gutter cleaning during spring and fall
• Schedule snow removal services for winter
• Check the basement for water leaks once the snow thaws

Annual maintenance checklist: 

• Have the air conditioner serviced
• Schedule an electrical inspection that meets housing codes

Having a list of vetted professionals at the ready will make scheduling services virtually effortless. As a landlord, when there is a property-related crisis, you want to be able to act quickly without worrying about researching the right tradesperson. Landlords can evaluate service repair professionals by inquiring about time frames, asking to see permits, requesting a written estimate, and, most notably, reading reviews.

Examine the difference between a good plumbing quote and a questionable one for your investment property. 

FAQ: Who is responsible for rental property maintenance tasks?