The Basic Responsibilities of a Landlord

As a landlord you have both rights and duties. You have the right to collect rent at regular intervals. You also have responsibilities under the law that you fulfill as a landlord. Your basic responsibilities are outlined here.

Keep the Premises Safe and Livable

The basic responsibilities of a landlord are to keep the premises safe and fit for human habitation and leave the enjoyment of the property to the tenant for the lease period. Safe and habitable means plumbing facilities, hot and cold water, heating facilities, working electrical lights, working electrical equipment, and so on. There should be no leaks in the roof, walls, door or windows of the home.

The landlord must provide a working smoke detector and working locks at the beginning of the tenancy. Some states require the landlord to provide garbage services as well. The tenant can be charged for these services, though it is the duty of the landlord to provide the services.

6 Obligations to Tenants

• The landlord cannot lock out the tenant for any reason whatsoever. The only way to evict a tenant is by a court order. The landlord has to give a notice for the tenant to vacate the premises. This notice period depends on the lease agreement signed between the tenant and the landlord.
• Landlords must also disclose all known paints (lead-based) and lead based paint hazards to prospective tenants. The lease should also have a warning about the lead—based paint. Additionally, the tenant should be given relevant information on the harmful aspects of lead paint through the Environmental Protection Agency’s booklet. The tenant should be told the lead affects health, especially that of children.
• If the landlord has received a foreclosure notice this information must be divulged to the prospective tenant. The landlord must also inform the tenants of the possible availability of low income subsidies for utility use. This has to be done once a year.
• The landlord also has to ensure that the apartment is clean when the tenant moves in. In an apartment building, it is the responsibility of the landlord to keep hallways litter free and well lit.
• The landlord can only increase the rent at intervals specified in the lease deed. A change of landlords cannot be the reason for substantially changing the rules governing the lease.
• The landlord or his representative must notify the tenant at least 24 hours in advance before entering the premises occupied by the tenant. Exceptions can be made only if the tenant is unreachable or emergency repairs need to be done to the premises.