Wednesday, 25 December 2013

Apartment Maintenance: Who's Job Is It?

By Rita Franklin


Sometimes, with all the paper work and contracts involved in renting an apartment, knowing with certainty what responsibilities fall on you as the renter can be a challenge. In the majority of cases, some of the responsibilities of maintaining the property fall to the renter, while the maintenance staff has the job of making important repairs in the units and keeping the common areas in good order. It's important that you read the rental agreement, so that you know the rights you are agreeing to in case a dispute arises in the future.

In most cases, the renter accepts the job of keeping the apartment itself and the areas around it clean and well-maintained. If your apartment has an outdoor area, such as a balcony or deck, this is included as part of the property. This responsibility generally applies primarily to cleanliness, while more serious damage or wear will usually be dealt with by the complex staff.

By signing that lease, you take on a number of responsibilities that you will have to deal with yourself and pay to have dealt with. Little household problems, such as dealing with small holes, chipping paint, clogged toilets or burnt-out bulbs, are usually the responsibility of the tenant. If something is uncomfortable or dangerous for you to do yourself, you may want to give the maintenance staff a call.

A reasonable condition that you agree to when signing the lease is that you must demonstrate respect for the building and the other tenants by not doing anything purposefully damaging and following all the rules for the public spaces. This may include picking up after your dog and keeping the noise down to a certain level. Tenants who repeatedly fail to follow guidelines are often penalized.

In general, the major projects, such as exterior repair, fixing large appliances and dealing with serious plumbing issues, are the responsibility of the leasing agent and maintenance workers. Problems with utilities, such as power outages, heating issues and problems with the running water also warrant a call to the superintendent. Keeping the public spaces clean and well-manicured is the also the job of the leasing agent and staff.

You as the renter agree to care for a number of apartment maintenance tasks. One reason you should study the contract and be aware of your rights and responsibilities is to be aware of when the staff or leasing agent isn't fulfilling their end of the agreement properly. If negligence or accusations on your part make conditions dangerous or unlivable, then you may need to get the department of housing involved.




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