According to a June 2024 article by Bankrate.com, the average annual cost to own and maintain a single-family home in the U.S. has jumped by 26% from four years ago. As a result, home ownership and maintenance expenses in 2024 exceeded $18,000.
As a landlord in Richmond, VA, your property maintenance costs could be much higher if your tenants don't do their part. Contrary to what many believe, landlords aren't the only ones responsible for maintaining rental properties; renters also have legal duties.
To that end, the experts at PMI Glen Allen put together this guide exploring tenants' roles in rental property care. Read on to discover their optional and legal responsibilities under Virginia law.
The Importance of Property Maintenance in Real Estate
Property maintenance involves consistent real estate upkeep and repair of residential or commercial spaces. It encompasses routine inspections and emergency repairs, strategies that can significantly impact property value. In today's competitive real estate market, the impression that a well-maintained property leaves on potential tenants or buyers can be the difference between closing a deal or facing prolonged vacancies.
Furthermore, investing in regular maintenance helps prevent more severe problems from developing. For example, fixing plumbing leaks can prevent severe water damage and pest infestations and, per the U.S. EPA, save up to 10% on water bills. Ultimately, it reduces significant property maintenance costs over time.
Legal Tenant Maintenance Responsibilities
All renters in Virginia, including those in Richmond, have property maintenance responsibilities under the law. As VALegalAid.org explains, tenants must perform the following:
- Keep the rented space and plumbing system clean and safe
- Keep the rented space pest- and insect-free and notify landlords about infestations
- Use appliances and utilities in the rental reasonably
- Get rid of the trash
- Not deliberately destroy or damage the landlord's property nor allow anyone to do so
Moreover, tenants must follow all the reasonable conditions and rules set forth by the landlord in the lease agreement.
Optional Maintenance Tasks for Richmond Tenants
As a landlord, you can impose optional or additional property upkeep rules, provided they are reasonable. You can negotiate these tasks with your tenants during the tenant screening and application process:
- Changing HVAC filters every season
- Doing some light gardening/yard work, such as raking fallen leaves and mowing the grass
- Changing light bulbs
Since the above tasks are optional, tenants may or may not agree to perform them. However, you can encourage them to do so by offering valuable incentives, such as small rental discounts or gift cards. Incentives like these can also help attract new tenants or make existing renters more likely to renew the lease agreement.
Your Investment Deserves Care
Property maintenance is a shared responsibility between you, the landlord, and your tenants. For this reason, you must ensure your tenants are responsible and doing their best to uphold their end of the contract.
PMI Glen Allen's full-service property solutions can help simplify maintaining your Richmond rental. We can manage everything on your behalf, from screening tenants to overseeing home maintenance services, managing renters, collecting rent, and assisting with evictions. We're a locally veteran-owned company, but we're also proud to be part of PMI, a fast-growing property management franchise in the U.S. that manages over $5 billion in real estate assets.
Connect with us today for a complimentary property analysis and consultation!
