Being a landlord is one of the most fulfilling jobs one may have. However, there are a lot of unknowns when you first get into the industry. One of the biggest questions we receive from landlords is “What maintenance am I responsible for?” There are so many things that are involved in home maintenance and it can be overwhelming when you think about all the things that could go wrong. Where do you even start?

To take the stress off of you, we have curated a list of what a landlord’s responsibilities are and are not, as well as how to take care of all necessary maintenance. While all leases can be different, the are the most common California maintenance responsibilities we have seen in our years of property management.

What The Landlord Is Responsible For

Routine Maintenance

Staying caught up on monthly, seasonal, and yearly maintenance is a must. If a tenant does not sustain proper routine maintenance, emergency maintenance will significantly increase. 

Monthly Maintenance

• Landscaping (Can fall on either tenant or landlord, depending on lease)
• Pest Control
• Air Filter Replacement

Seasonal Maintenance

• Gutter Cleaning
• Tree trimming

Yearly Maintenance

• Appliances
• HVAC
• Plumbing 

Keeping proper maintenance on all these items will help lengthen the life of the home’s assets and reduce emergency repairs.  

Emergency Maintenance

No matter how well prepared a property is, things happen. Whether a big wind storm rolls through and knocks down the fence or a heat wave hits and the A/C dies, everything can’t be prevented. When these things happen, it is important to fix them as soon as possible. This will show the tenants that the landlord cares about their well-being and comfort.

What The Tenants Are Responsible For

While everything is outlined in the lease agreement, these are the most common things that tenants are responsible for:

• Maintaining Cleanliness
  • Maintain a clean and accessible environment
  • Use appliances and fixtures as intended, then clean them with the proper materials.
  • Dispose of garbage timely and properly
• Damage Caused by Tenants or Guests
  • Other than regular wear and tear, tenants should hold the responsibility to fix property that they damage
• Small Maintenance Responsibilities
  • Changing light bulbs
  • Replacing water-filter
  • Checking and replacing smoke alarm batteries
  • Restoring Minor plumbing clogs
  • Patching Baseboard dings not considered regular wear and tear
  • Filling any large holes in walls

Maintenance That Is Often Forgotten

On top of usual maintenance comes maintenance that is often overlooked or needed in between different tenants. 

• Carpet Cleaning
• Garage Door Repair
• Floor Replacements
• Interior and Exterior Painting
• Lock Changes
• Roof Repairs

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Thinking of landlord responsibilities can be a bit overwhelming. With Ferguson Property Management, we take care of all these maintenance issues for you. Not only the landlord’s maintenance, but some of the tenant maintenance too. We deliver air filters free of charge to your tenants, lowering HVAC repair costs, and lengthening the life of the system. 

We make it easy for both the tenant and landlord with our easy-to-use online portal. After a tenant puts in their request, we will troubleshoot the problem with them and then decide if more action needs to be taken. We have a list of certified vendors who we trust through and through. We dispatch them and they fix whatever problem needs attention.  We don’t even bother the landlord if the repair is under $250, giving them back precious time. 

Wanting to have all your maintenance taken care of? With over 15 years of experience, Ferguson Property Management your go to for Greater Sacramento area property management!