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In the United States, owning and maintaining a home now costs $1,510 monthly. That's a considerable increase from the per-cost month of $1,202 in 2020. Experts say the spike is primarily due to rising insurance and maintenance costs.
As a property owner and investor in the Dothan, AL, rental market, that news may have made you wonder if the fees charged by a rental property management company include maintenance and repair expenses. So, do they, or do they not?
This guide answers that question and examines who is responsible for rental property maintenance and repair costs, so read on.
Do Rental Property Management Companies Pay for Repairs?
Property managers don't shoulder the costs of property repairs in Dothan, AL. However, they play crucial roles in overseeing and coordinating rental property maintenance. They work with vetted and experienced contractors to perform property inspections, upkeep, and repairs.
Instead, the landlord or tenant typically pays for repairs. The terms outlined in the lease agreement determine who covers the costs.
When Landlords Pay for Property Repairs
Alabama's Landlord-Tenant Law governs landlord obligations in Dothan, AL. Under this law, landlords must ensure their rental properties are safe and livable and meet health and safety codes. To satisfy these responsibilities, they must:
- Keep critical systems (e.g., plumbing, sanitation, electrical, and HVAC) in good condition
- Maintain the cleanliness of common areas
- Ensure the building's structural integrity
So, landlords must address any problem affecting those components caused by normal wear and tear. Likewise, they must pay for significant repairs that may result in livability or safety issues, such as storm- or age-related roof damage. As a landlord, you must also cover the cost of fixing structural problems like foundation cracks.
What About Tenants?
Just like with landlords, there are also maintenance-related tenant responsibilities. For example, they must:
- Use appliances and systems properly and keep them clean
- Follow correct garbage disposal methods
- Contribute to keeping common areas clean and safe
- Do what they can to keep the rental clean, sanitary, and safe
- Adhere to the reasonable terms indicated in the lease agreement
When tenants fail to meet their duties, they can cause property damage.
A perfect example is not following your rules about not smoking inside the property. As a result, your rental unit reeks of smoke, and the carpeting now has burn marks.
In that case, the tenant must pay for the repairs. You may even use their actions as grounds for eviction, as they breached the lease agreement.
Make Property Maintenance Simpler
Now you know that repairs to your rental unit aren't part of property management fees. Instead, you or your tenant must cover them, depending on the situation surrounding the repair. If it's due to normal wear and tear, you, the landlord, must pay for them, but if it's due to tenant neglect or breach of contract, the renter must shoulder the cost.
Our veteran-owned rental property management company, PMI Wiregrass, can simplify things for you. We provide full-service solutions, from property marketing to tenant placement and property maintenance.
Connect with us today to get a free property consultation! We'll happily share how we can help keep your property in Dothan, AL, safe, livable, and occupied.
