The relationship between a landlord and the tenant is like a two-way street. Both need to fulfill their responsibilities and discharge their respective duties to ensure a smooth living experience. However, quite often, people focus only on tenant rights and landlord responsibilities, without talking about the responsibilities of tenants.

Below we take a look at the responsibilities of a tenant considering the San Mateo investment property he/she has rented.

#1. Taking care of small maintenance in the property

The first thing every tenant needs to do is take care of small maintenance in the property. This includes basic repairs such as replacing broken faucets, cleaning carpets, changing switches, window glass, etc. Re-grouting of the bathtub and filling of minor gaps in-between the tiles are also some of the maintenance tasks that can be easily done by the tenants themselves. Calling up the landlord for every tiny maintenance issue is not good; besides, it is the tenant’s responsibility to keep the unit in great condition.

#2. Preventing accidental or intentional damage

It is also a tenant’s responsibility to ensure that no excessive damage occurs due to their or their guests’ actions. They are expected to not cause intentional damage to the property either and ensure the upkeep of the place and to maintain it in the condition they received it in.

If they fail to discharge this responsibility, their San Mateo landlord has the right to ask them to pay for the damages they may have caused, intentionally or unintentionally.

#3. Communicating issues with the landlord immediately

If there are any issues with the property that can affect the habitability or structural integrity of the unit, the tenant must communicate them with the landlord immediately after they are detected. Cracks in the wall, mold growth, issues with any of the appliances provided by the landlord, or any other problems that they see in the house should be reported immediately, to avoid complications in the future.

#4. Keeping the house clean and safe

Taking care of the San Mateo rental property‘s safety and sanitation is also the responsibility of every tenant. As they are the primary residents, they must keep it clean and safe, and protected from potentially damaging elements. They should also secure it from pest infestations and excessive exposure to moisture by disposing of the garbage regularly and ensuring proper ventilation in bathrooms.

The landlord has the right to conduct routine inspections of the rented property to ensure that sanitary conditions and safety are being maintained.

#5. Following all building and housing codes and regulations

For multi-family rentals, all tenants are expected to follow all the housing rules and regulations. For instance, all emergency exits of the building should be easily accessible and not blocked by anything. Carbon monoxide detectors should be in fully functioning order with charged batteries and there should be all the necessary arrangements in place to control a fire.

Apart from these responsibilities, a tenant is expected to be respectful of the neighbors’ privacy, maintain all the appliances installed properly, and generally conduct themselves well. Life becomes very easy for both the landlord and tenant when each party fulfills its obligations in a timely and professional manner.

Founded in 1982 in Marin County, Bayside Management has expanded to offer full-service San Mateo property management to the entire San Francisco Peninsula. We manage single-family properties, multi-unit complexes, commercial properties, and homeowner associations. Contact us to discuss all your investment property-related queries.