In the process of seeking a Gwinnett rental home, most of us want to move into a clean and well-maintained property. But keeping a rental house that way takes effort from both you and your landlord. While your landlord has a responsibility to ensure that the property is in a habitable condition, there are several rental home maintenance tasks that you are expected to do if you’re a renter. Let’s take a closer look at the most common maintenance issues for which a renter is responsible.
Taking Out the Trash
Keeping your home free of trash and garbage is a tenant’s most important rental home maintenance responsibility. Leaving trash or other items around and outside can make the property look and smell bad, or potentially invite pests and diseases. If your landlord doesn’t provide trash disposal, consider it as a utility and sign up for service as soon as you move in!
Pest Prevention
Speaking of pests, if any do find their way into your rental home, it is usually your responsibility to get rid of them. The landlord should have ensured that there were no pests on the property before you moved in, but once you live there, it’s your job to regularly clean the place and prevent any infestations. If an infestation gets to the point of needing professional extermination, make sure to contact your Gwinnett property manager. If you move out and leave pests behind, you could be financially responsible for treating the property.
Yard Maintenance
Keeping your rental property clean and tidy includes the interior and exterior of the home. Most of the time, renters are responsible for maintaining the landscaping. This also means keeping the driveway, walkway, steps, and other areas free of debris, trash, and other items. Sometimes, a landlord may offer these services to you for an additional fee. Check your lease carefully – it should describe your landlord’s expectations regarding yard maintenance.
Replacing Smoke Detector Batteries and Light Bulbs
You may not notice your rental home’s smoke detectors or light bulbs until they stop working or start beeping in the middle of the night! In most cases, the renter is responsible for replacing the smoke detectors’ batteries and any burned-out light bulbs as long as you live in the home. However, if a smoke detector is malfunctioning, be sure to contact your landlord.
Preventing Mold
Mold can grow anywhere, but prevention isn’t too difficult. As a renter, it is your job to keep mold from growing in your rental home. A few easy ways to prevent mold from developing include ensuring that your home has good ventilation and addressing excess moisture immediately. For example, leaving damp towels or clothing in a corner, letting a steamy bathroom sit closed off without a fan or window, or ignoring leaking plumbing can all lead to mold. If mold starts to grow, clean it up immediately with bleach. By taking a few simple precautions, there is a lot you can do to prevent mold in your home.
Respect the Property
As a renter, it is important to use each rental home element correctly and with respect. This includes proper use of appliances, plumbing, electrical, and septic systems, among other things. Although regular wear and tear happen, any damage to these items caused by improper use is almost always the renter’s responsibility.
Hopefully keeping up with your rental home maintenance will keep your home in pristine condition! As tenants, making sure everything is in working order is not difficult if you are being aware of how appliances and your home as a whole are being treated. Treat your rental home with respect and it will care of you as well!
If you are looking to purchase a rental property in the Gwinnett area and need some professional management assistance, contact us today and we will be glad to guide you through the process!
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