Keeping the property clean is not just a landlord’s job. The tenants have a part in it too. Yes, they pay rent for the upkeep of the place, but they should also contribute to the tasks at hand. There are simple ways that tenants can do to maintain a clean and safe environment.

Here are the ways how tenants can help the landlord in achieving a well-kept property. Some of it you may have to include in the lease agreement.

Lawn maintenance

Although the general maintenance of a property is a job for the landlords, some can be assigned to the tenants. This should be stipulated in the contract, though. It will be their responsibility to do the yard work and keeping it safe. They might not own the property but it is still their home somehow.

But what about apartment buildings with several tenants? The landlord can ask one of the tenants to do the job and in return, he will get paid.

Garbage disposal

Waste management is one of the things that needs to be dealt with in a systematic approach. The tenants should not just throw away their trash anywhere. You should have a designated area for this. Let your tenants know where to leave their trash and when the scheduled pick up will be. That way, the garbage will not stay outside for a long time because it might attract insects and rodents.

There should also be designated trash bins that must be strictly used for all your tenant’s garbage. Give them instructions on how to properly segregate and dispose of their rubbish. If you are using an on-call pickup service, you can include the fees to their rent but make sure that it is written in the agreement.

Cleaning snow buildup

Snow buildup can be such a hassle to everyone, and sometimes even dangerous. The job can be very tiresome and not all are willing to do it. You can also state in the contract that the tenants are responsible for clearing out the snow in the property. Keeping the property safe may be a given but it is better to put it into writing.

Correct use of appliances

There are correct ways to use appliances. That is why there are manuals for each appliance that we buy. Incorrect usage can damage the appliances.

Landlords are responsible for the maintenance but since the main users are the tenants, if an appliance breaks down due to their negligence, they will have to pay for the cost of repair.

Pest problems

A landlord has to check a property before tenants move in to make sure that it is stable, clean, and habitable. However, the tenant has to maintain it that way because the cost of repair for any damage beyond the normal wear and tear could be deducted from their security deposit. 

Poor hygienic practices of the tenants can lead to pest infestation and the cost of fixing this problem should be shouldered by them.

Proper use of the septic system

A property’s septic system should be cared for correctly or else it will break down easily. The maintenance of the plumbing is a landlord’s job but the tenants can also contribute to its maintenance. They should avoid dumping grease, oils, and trash down the drain.

You could hand out printed instructions on how to properly care for the septic system because once it breaks because of improper use, they can be held responsible.

Checking smoke detectors

Nobody notices smoke detectors that much. That is why sometimes the batteries are not changed when they are supposed to. This can also be done by the tenants provided that it was stated in the lease. Smoke alarms that go off without any reason should be reported to you, to have it changed or fixed.

Landlord communication

With all the other tasks that you need to do and with the different properties that you manage, it can get overwhelming and difficult to stay on top of things. That is why the tenants should communicate with the landlord if there are any repairs needed to be done. Failure to do so can lead to an even bigger problem, such as fire or injuries.

Repairs should also be included in your contract. You can allow the tenants to perform repairs for minor damages. This should be agreed upon by both parties.

Maintenance of the property is a big, and sometimes, tedious job. It is best to specify the person responsible for such things in the lease agreement. Encourage your tenants to go over the contract before signing. This will help establish the rules and can prevent conflict.

If you have done your part with the maintenance and you know that the property is ready, go ahead and make your property listings at Padleads, where you get to showcase your units not just on a single website, but to many more pages where more applicants can see it.