Question for Landlords

[Anonymous]

If your contract states that tenants are responsible for minor repair and maintenance what does this mean to you? Assuming the issues were not present at time of rental but developed over the course of the contract? For example showerhead replacement, HVAC filters, toilet paper holders falling out of wall, kitchen cabinet doors coming loose, slow flowing faucets? As a renter I'm not sure what I should report to landlord and what I should take care of myself. I have a good relationship with landlord and he is pretty good at getting things fixed.

[Anonymous]

Showerhead replacement because it's broken or because you want a different style? Either way, I think you could pay for that.

HVAC filters definitely on you.

Toilet paper holders only fall out of the wall if you mistreat them. Ditto kitchen cabinet doors coming loose. Both also on you.

Slow flowing faucets are a water pressure issue. Doubt there's any solution there, but you can report it.

[Anonymous]

showerhead replacement- renter. Buy your own and bring them with you and change them out every time you move.

HVAC filters- renter

toilet paper holders falling out of wall- landlord

kitchen cabinet doors coming loose- landlord

slow flowing faucets- landlord, but this also just might be the house's water pressure

[Anonymous]

Fix what you can/what to (all the minor stuff, in my opinion) and let them know of anything major (plumbing/electric/structural).

[Anonymous]

OP were all these items in working order when you moved in? If you caused the TP holder to fall our or the cabinet doors, you should fix it. These are simple fixes.

[Anonymous]

$100 seems a good dividing line...

[Anonymous]

Thanks. The water pressure in the basement mud room has changed, it was fine when I moved in but no longer flows as fast. I haven't cleaned the faucet head and I think it's because of hard water buildup, I've tried vinegar and CLR but it hasn't worked. Should I notify landlord and change it or let him?

As for the kitchen cabinets/toliet paper holder. If landlord fixes do I pay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP were all these items in working order when you moved in? If you caused the TP holder to fall our or the cabinet doors, you should fix it. These are simple fixes.

Yes. The toilet paper holder is in drywall (no support behind it) and was a little loose but now is completely broken -one part fell out of the wall complelty- and it will require the wall to be paired and reprinted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP were all these items in working order when you moved in? If you caused the TP holder to fall our or the cabinet doors, you should fix it. These are simple fixes.

Yes. The toilet paper holder is in drywall (no support behind it) and was a little loose but now is completely broken -one part fell out of the wall complelty- and it will require the wall to be paired and reprinted.

How did that happen? Did you accidentally break it or was it already a bit lose.

[Anonymous]

These answers are absolutely ridiculous and clearly posted by landlords.

The tenant is responsible for changing the air filters under most places.

The rest are normal wear and tear or repairs that the landlord should pay for.

Why in the world should a tenant have to replace the shower head? That is absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP were all these items in working order when you moved in? If you caused the TP holder to fall our or the cabinet doors, you should fix it. These are simple fixes.

Yes. The toilet paper holder is in drywall (no support behind it) and was a little loose but now is completely broken -one part fell out of the wall complelty- and it will require the wall to be paired and reprinted.

How did that happen? Did you accidentally break it or was it already a bit lose.

The part that fell out was loose when I moved in but over time it's gotten worse and now fell out. I think this happened just changing the toilet paper not because I bummed into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your contract states that tenants are responsible for minor repair and maintenance what does this mean to you? Assuming the issues were not present at time of rental but developed over the course of the contract? For example showerhead replacement, HVAC filters, toilet paper holders falling out of wall, kitchen cabinet doors coming loose, slow flowing faucets? As a renter I'm not sure what I should report to landlord and what I should take care of myself. I have a good relationship with landlord and he is pretty good at getting things fixed.

Btw this is not Europe. Landlords in the United States typically do repairs and maintenance and you should not sign a lease that states otherwise. The clause is probably not enforceable, and it certainly is not enforceable in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your contract states that tenants are responsible for minor repair and maintenance what does this mean to you? Assuming the issues were not present at time of rental but developed over the course of the contract? For example showerhead replacement, HVAC filters, toilet paper holders falling out of wall, kitchen cabinet doors coming loose, slow flowing faucets? As a renter I'm not sure what I should report to landlord and what I should take care of myself. I have a good relationship with landlord and he is pretty good at getting things fixed.

Btw this is not Europe. Landlords in the United States typically do repairs and maintenance and you should not sign a lease that states otherwise. The clause is probably not enforceable, and it certainly is not enforceable in DC.

It depends what is maintenance vs repairs. If the damage is due to the tenant's negligence and not wear and tear then it is not covered.

DC is a terrible place for landlords and it's no wonder they have a deadbeat problem with renters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your contract states that tenants are responsible for minor repair and maintenance what does this mean to you? Assuming the issues were not present at time of rental but developed over the course of the contract? For example showerhead replacement, HVAC filters, toilet paper holders falling out of wall, kitchen cabinet doors coming loose, slow flowing faucets? As a renter I'm not sure what I should report to landlord and what I should take care of myself. I have a good relationship with landlord and he is pretty good at getting things fixed.

Btw this is not Europe. Landlords in the United States typically do repairs and maintenance and you should not sign a lease that states otherwise. The clause is probably not enforceable, and it certainly is not enforceable in DC.

I didn't know this. I like my landlord so and he hasn't upped rent in over two years so I just wanted to be sure. I asked posed the question to landlords because I wanted to get an idea of what they would think if I sent an update.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your contract states that tenants are responsible for minor repair and maintenance what does this mean to you? Assuming the issues were not present at time of rental but developed over the course of the contract? For example showerhead replacement, HVAC filters, toilet paper holders falling out of wall, kitchen cabinet doors coming loose, slow flowing faucets? As a renter I'm not sure what I should report to landlord and what I should take care of myself. I have a good relationship with landlord and he is pretty good at getting things fixed.

Btw this is not Europe. Landlords in the United States typically do repairs and maintenance and you should not sign a lease that states otherwise. The clause is probably not enforceable, and it certainly is not enforceable in DC.

OP again, would landlords deduct this from my security deposit if I moved out and theses things were broken?