Your Safety Obligations as a Landlord

If you have another property, you can make money renting it out as a steady income. However, there are many safety obligations as a landlord. Here are just a few of the more important ones.

Your Property Must be Safe for Living

Row of brick built modern terraced houses
Image credit: Shutterstock

You are responsible for making sure that the place your tenants live in is safe and secure. This includes making sure that the property meets all rules and standards for health and safety. These include making sure that all gas and electric appliances are in good working order and that the property is free of any dangers, like rubbish left from previous tenants. Local rubbish clearance services are a great way to have someone do the jobs you don’t want to do.

You Must Provide Reasonable Maintenance

You don’t have to fix everything on a piece of property you own. But it is your job to take care of the property and keep it in good shape. This includes fixing any damage or flaws on the property, such as broken windows, leaking pipes, or faulty wiring. You and your tenants will be better off if you make a maintenance schedule that shows when you will do regular maintenance. But try to answer tenant requests as soon as possible to avoid more expenses.

It’s useful to have trusted tradespeople and contractors to turn to when you need help. In an emergency, you don’t want to be calling multiple contractors to try and get the right person. Make sure your list of contacts includes an emergency plumber like Everyday Plumbers, an emergency electrician, and perhaps a locksmith or other professionals who could help you get out of a bind. Creating this list before you really need anyone on it can be the best way to save money. You have people you trust, who may treat you favourably if you give them repeat business. If you leave it until the last minute, you could find that you get ripped off.

Safety Obligations as a Landlord Includes Fire

Every year, more than 350,000 house fires happen in the United States alone. And it is estimated that 96% of these are preventable. As a landlord, it’s your job to make sure the building meets all fire safety rules. This means that there should be working smoke detectors on every floor of the building and fire extinguishers where they are needed. Keeping systems like heating, electricity, and air conditioning in good shape can also help prevent a tragedy.

Compliance with Local Regulations

Row of houses in UK
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Every country is different, but all of them have rules and laws about who can own and manage a property and how it can be used. You need to make sure that the property follows all building codes and rules, as well as any local or state rules for rental properties. You must also get any permits you need to make big changes and keep detailed records of all maintenance and repairs done on the property. And you must always know the local rules for rental services.

Keeping Tenants Informed of Changes

If your renters don’t know what’s going on, they can’t help you. And it’s not fair to keep a paying client in the dark. You have to tell your tenants how to get help in an emergency and how to let you know about any safety concerns or hazards. It also makes it easier for tenants to report any safety issues or dangers as soon as they notice them. Then you can help make sure they are safe and happy in your rental property and help prevent property damage or loss of life.

By .

Follow: