Maintenance Issues That Are a Tenant’s Responsibility

One of the most asked questions, and possibly one of the more contentious issues when it comes to investment properties is what maintenance issues is the tenant responsible for, and what is the landlord responsible for? 

During the lease, both the landlord and tenant have responsibility for maintaining different areas of the property. At the very basic level, a tenant is required to keep the property clean and tidy, while being responsible for general household maintenance. A landlord is required to keep the property in a reasonable state of repair and ensure the property complies with all required health and safety laws.  

Internal Maintenance  

Regular maintenance is required both internally and externally to prevent damage to the property, both now and in the future. Your tenant is responsible for basic household maintenance such as replacing light globes, day to day cleaning, window cleaning, dusting and vacuuming. As a landlord, you may choose to replace more expensive or specialist light bulbs, but in general, this is something that is up to the tenant to maintain.  

Cleaning and Routine Housekeeping 

Keeping the property clean and well-maintained is a basic responsibility for tenants. This includes regular cleaning of all living spaces, such as sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, and mopping floors. Tenants are also expected to maintain a clean kitchen and bathroom. Failure to do so can lead to issues like pest infestations, which could result in additional expenses for the tenant. 

 
Pest Control 

Pest control can be a bit of an issue as to who is responsible, however it is generally viewed that if a pest infestation is caused by the negligence of a tenant (for example, leaving out food that attracts pests), they are required to address the issue.  

When it comes to pest control, this should be carried out on at least an annual basis, however depending on the pest and the severity of the problem, it may need to be carried out on a more regular basis.  

As a landlord, this is certainly something to discuss with your property manager. Many owners take on the responsibility of pest control, so they have peace of mind that this maintenance is done regularly.  

Routine Air Conditioning Maintenance 

Air conditioning is another appliance that falls under the responsibility of both tenants and owners. On a day-to-day basis, the tenant is responsible for cleaning the filters and basic internal of the air conditioner to keep it free from dust and mould. They should also be ensuring the outside unit is not surrounded by leaf build-up and other environmental debris. Doing this, can help keep the system running efficiently, and help to reduce energy bills.  

The air filter in your air conditioner should be checked regularly, typically every 1 to 3 months. If it's dirty or clogged, it should be cleaned or replaced. Some filters are washable and reusable, while others need to be replaced with a new one. 

The property owner is responsible for more extensive air conditioning maintenance such as deep cleans and services, as this requires an experienced tradesperson to complete. Professional maintenance once a year. This service typically includes a comprehensive inspection and cleaning of various components, as well as system performance checks. 

Mould and Mildew  

The presence of mould and mildew in a property can be a health risk, and again, this is another area that falls under the responsibility of both tenant and landlord. If the mould is caused by maintenance issues with gutters, the roof or water leaks, for example, then it is up to the landlord to fix it. If the mould is caused by the tenant not ventilating the property correctly (not opening windows or using exhaust fans) the cost of the repair may fall onto the tenant.  

External Maintenance  

External maintenance is often a lot clearer cut than internal maintenance is. Although a lot of property investors take on the cost of gardening and lawn mowing to ensure this is done regularly, this is an area that falls under tenant maintenance. But when it comes to areas like tree trimming, gutter cleaning and maintaining fire breaks, this falls under the responsibility of the property owner.  

Garden Maintenance 

On a day-to-day basis, the tenant is responsible for gardening, mowing, weeding, and watering the lawns and gardens. Anything that requires specialised equipment or more extensive work falls into the scope of the property owner. In times of little rain, it is worth speaking to the property manager about how the owner would like the lawns and gardens maintained, due to the increase of water needed.  

External Cleaning 

As a tenant, it also falls into your responsibility to look after the basic external cleaning - outside windows, keeping patios and balconies free of leaves and debris, and ensuring there is no rubbish floating around the property. Other external cleaning such as roof gutters is the responsibility of the property owner.  

Maintaining a Rental Property  

Many tenants often consider doing their own basic maintenance - changing tap hardware is a common maintenance job - however, these jobs are best left to the experts. It is important to note that maintenance does not contribute to increased rent, but damaging the property through attempting DIY may come at a higher cost.  

A tenant should notify their property manager, or the landlord in the case of a private rental and advise them of any issues that need attending to, including when they started, if they are getting worse, and exactly what is happening. This allows the work to happen in a more efficient manner.  

Water leaks happen, and many times they are noticeable - extremely green grass in an area, soggy lawn or a water mark on the wall or ceiling, as well as the obvious water leaking. A tenant should advise their property manager or the property owner immediately upon noticing the leak. Water can cause extensive damage to a property, so it is essential to get onto this early.  

If a tenant notices that their water usage is increasing even though their actual habits or routines have not changed, it is important to contact the property manager or owner as this could indicate a hidden leak.  

Who is Responsible for Repairs in Perth Rental Properties? 

When it comes to repairs, these generally fall into the responsibility of the property owner, unless the damage has been caused by the tenant (wear and tear is covered by the owner as well). In the situation where the tenant has caused the damage, they can be asked to cover the cost of the repair.  

Repairs fall into two categories - urgent and non-urgent.  

Urgent repairs  

Urgent repairs fall into two categories - essential services and other urgent repairs. Essential services are straightforward and include things like burst water pipes, gas leaks, broken or leaking hot-water systems, sewerage leaks or dangerous electrical faults.  

Other urgent repairs are those that fall under the category that if they are not fixed, they may cause damage to the premises, injure someone, or cause undue hardship or inconvenience to the tenant.  

Property managers or owners then have 24 hours for essential services and 48 hours for other urgent repairs to contact the required repairer and arrange for the issue to be fixed. It is important to note that the repairs do not need to occur within these time frames but are required to be fixed as soon as reasonably possible after the request to repair has been made. At times it may be difficult to get tradespeople or parts may need to be ordered, and this needs to be taken into consideration when it comes to repair timelines.  

Rental legislation does allow for the tenant to arrange for repairs to be carried out if they are unable to contact the property manager or owner within the required timeframes. These repairs must be done by a qualified repairer and to the minimum extent necessary to make the area safe and secure. However, you are required to have a record of attempts to contact the property manager or owner and can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses.  

Non-Urgent Repairs 

Most repairs in a rental property fall under the non-urgent repairs category.  Non-urgent repairs in a rental property are maintenance issues that do not pose an immediate threat to the safety, habitability, or security of the tenant. They are problems that, while still important to address, can typically be scheduled and repaired during regular business hours without causing significant inconvenience or discomfort to the tenant.  

Some common examples of non-urgent repairs in a rental property include: 

Cosmetic Issues: Repainting walls or ceilings for aesthetic reasons, such as covering scuffs or changing the colour. 

Minor Plumbing Leaks: Repairing small or slow leaks that do not result in significant water damage. 

Non-Essential Electrical Repairs: Fixing non-essential electrical issues like non-functioning light fixtures, outlets, or switches. 

Appliance Repairs: Repairing non-critical appliances, like a dishwasher, that are not essential for daily living. 

Cabinet and Drawer Repairs: Fixing loose or damaged cabinet doors, drawers, or handles. 

Non-Essential Fixture Repairs: Repairing or replacing fixtures that are not essential, such as a broken towel rack or curtain rod. 

Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance: Non-urgent landscaping and lawn care, like trimming bushes, weeding, or replacing non-essential plants. 

Non-Critical Air Conditioning Repairs: Repairing heating or cooling systems that are not necessary for maintaining a comfortable living environment. 

Roofing Repairs for Minor Issues: Fixing minor roof issues that do not result in significant leaks or structural damage. 

Flooring Repairs: Fixing non-essential issues like loose tiles or minor carpet damage. 

While these repairs are considered non-urgent, it's important for landlords to address them in a reasonable time frame, as they can affect the overall quality of life and comfort of the tenant. As a tenant you are required to provide written notice for non-urgent repairs, detailing what is broken, and where (photos are a great addition to your email).  

Maintenance and Repairs in Rental Properties 

Maintaining a rental property is the responsibility of both the tenant and the property owner. While each has their own responsibilities, they work in unison to ensure that the property is well looked after, well maintained, and safe to live in.  

If you’re looking for a professional property management team to look after your Perth investment property, give our friendly team a call.