Who Is Responsible for What? Sacramento Landlord vs. Resident Responsibilities

Deciding whether a landlord or a resident is responsible for a repair or an issue at your Sacramento rental property can be tricky, especially if the expectations and responsibilities aren’t clear in the lease agreement. 

Make sure your rental contract spells out what your residents need to do while living in your property. Discuss the lease with them, and make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of what you will take care of and what the residents need to handle. 

Landlord Responsibilities in a Sacramento Rental Property

Landlords are responsible for providing their residents with a safe and habitable home, and for maintaining that home throughout the residency. 

If you’re renting out a multi-family property or several units in an apartment building, it’s important that you maintain and clean the common areas. Common areas are anything spaces or structures within the building that all residents use, or outside the unit’s door. This will include hallways, parking lots, fitness centers, lobbies, and the outdoor space in front of and behind the building. If a resident actually damages something such as an elevator or causes problems with the pool, you can hold that resident responsible. But, when it comes to maintaining those common areas, it’s ultimately the landlord’s duty. 

A landlord is also required to care for any of the appliances that were provided with the property when the resident moved in. If the dishwasher breaks down, you have to repair it or replace it. 

You also have to pay attention to all state, federal, and local laws, regulations, and housing ordinances. Make sure you know what’s required of you as a landlord, and you have to stay up to date with the constantly changing laws in California. There are a lot of new mandates this year, and if you’re not up to speed on everything, talk to a Sacramento property management company that can keep you in compliance. 

Responsibilities Shared by Landlords and Residents 

Both landlords and residents are responsible for things like smoke detectors and air filters. You have to make sure the smoke detector and the cooling system in your property work. But, the resident has to be responsible for changing batteries and air filters. Make sure this is in your lease. 

Landscaping and lawn maintenance may also be a shared responsibility. Sometimes, landlords will provide professional landscaping twice a year, for example, but you expect the resident to mow the lawn in the summer. 

You could also hire a professional lawn service to take care of mowing, weeding, mulching, and other responsibilities, and then include the cost of that service in your rent. The same can be done with pools and spas. You don’t necessarily want the residents handling pool chemicals, but since they are enjoying the pool, they should be responsible for contributing to its care and maintenance. 

Resident Responsibilities to a Sacramento Rental Home

Your resident is responsible for paying rent on time, taking care of the property, and preventing any damage. A good resident will communicate transparently and let you know when there’s a repair that’s needed. Sometimes, residents will hesitate to report problems because they don’t want to get blamed for it. Make sure your residents understand that you need to know about repairs right away, regardless of who is at fault. 

Residents should be expected to make minor repairs. A garbage disposal can be easily reset by residents, for example, and they can also handle things like keeping drains free from clogs and preventing mold from growing in the shower. 

It can be helpful to give your residents a bit of an orientation when they move in. Show them how things in the property work, and explain what they should handle themselves and what they should report to you as a maintenance need. Communication can really solve a lot of the confusion about who should be responsible for what. 

If you have any further questions regarding resident and landlord responsibilities or anything pertaining to property management and leasing in Sacramento, please contact us at Sacramento Delta Property Management.