Who's Responsibility Is Apartment Maintenance?

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By Malory Richards


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.

On a more obvious note, part of your rental agreement requires that you do not intentionally cause damage to the apartment or be disruptive to the other a residents. You may also be required to follow certain rules in the public areas of the building, such as keeping the noise to a reasonable level and making sure that you pick up any of your trash or waste from any pets.

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.

While the tenant assumes many responsibilities, you may notice that the staff or certain members of the staff aren't stepping up the way they should, or are misplacing the responsibility onto you or the other residents. In these cases, it's important that you understand your rights and responsibilities, and bring it to the attention of Department of Housing if the problem becomes serious enough.




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