As a homeowner who rents out a room in my house, I would hope that my renters would bring stuff to my attention. I don't typically go into my renter's bedroom or bathroom, so if something isn't working, she'll know about it long before I will. My previous renter was miserable because her room was too warm, but didn't tell me, and I had no idea, because I don't live in her room. So now I tell renters to TELL ME when something breaks or isn't quite right because I might be able to do something about it. (or if I can't, I'll do what I can to make up for it.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Unless, of course, it says otherwise IN THE LEASE.

OP, I have that the tenant is responsible for miscellaneous repairs under $100. Batteries in fire alarms, light bulbs, toilet is stopped up because Junior uses too much TP, the toilet runs, a blind is broken (because they broke it).... I don't want them calling me out to the house for small crap.

If they break anything big I am still going to hold them responsible - that's what a security deposit is for.

When the motor in the fridge stopped working? I paid the repairman and even paid the tenant for the 7 pounds of chicken breasts she lost.

Normal wear and tear is faded paint, a few nail holes, scuff marks on walls and minor scratches on floors (not gouges), dirty finger print marks on walls and blinds. Anything beyond that is damage. See here. http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108376

That's a BS lease term, illegal many places. If a tenant breaks something they should repair. If it worked when they moved in and it breaks from normal wear and tear it's the LL's responsibility. Now did I call my LL for every stupid thing? Of course not.

+1 I rent and my landlord tried to enforce a bogus "$100 repair deductible" clause (which I objected to while signing but he refused to remove the clause) when he had to pay a couple thousand dollars to have the main sewer line dug up and replaced from years of neglect. I promptly responded that I was not paying him anything in addition to my rent and told him that if he wanted, he could take it up with VA small claims court and that I'd be happy to provide the court with additional information re: lack of move-in inspection report and several items in the house that are not up to code (he renovated himself). He dropped the issue and stopped asking for the $100.

Well that's just insane. Landlord here, I don't see any connection between "$100 misc repair" and digging up a sewer line. It's nota per-repair deductible. It's to set a clear line of demarcation between everday crap that comes up, yes like screwing a towel rack back into the wall when you pull it out, and a serious issue that the landlord needs to address. Clearly digging up a sewer line falls WAY outside of the tenant's responsibility. Now if I dig up the sewer line and fine your kid flushed a Barbie down the toilet, then yes indeed, I will be happy to meet you in small claims court.

If you don't like the $100 misc repair clause, don't sign the lease.

PP you are responding to, and I'm not sure what your point is. We do minor repairs of that "everyday crap" with no complaints. However, this was a serious issue, which had previously required a plumber visit, that he illegally tried to collect $100 from me for. The plumber communicated to the owner/landlord that he could only do a temporary fix because the main sewer line needed to be replaced, which the plumber said was not our fault (we had only been in the house 8 months when this occurred and this was a result of years of neglect), owner tried to ignore the problem, and when the pipes started backing up again a month later and he finally had to pony up to replace the line, he wanted to charge me $100 for it? After we had to stay in a hotel when they fixed it on my dime? No, thanks, I'll see you in court, and I'll discuss the other items I mentioned in my PP with the judge as well. He backed down immediately.

Depends on the lease. Ours says the tenant pays the first $50 of any needed repair (like a deductible.) Weeds out BS like this. Tenant was made well aware when they moved in, they've had no issue with it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Unless, of course, it says otherwise IN THE LEASE.

OP, I have that the tenant is responsible for miscellaneous repairs under $100. Batteries in fire alarms, light bulbs, toilet is stopped up because Junior uses too much TP, the toilet runs, a blind is broken (because they broke it).... I don't want them calling me out to the house for small crap.

If they break anything big I am still going to hold them responsible - that's what a security deposit is for.

When the motor in the fridge stopped working? I paid the repairman and even paid the tenant for the 7 pounds of chicken breasts she lost.

Normal wear and tear is faded paint, a few nail holes, scuff marks on walls and minor scratches on floors (not gouges), dirty finger print marks on walls and blinds. Anything beyond that is damage. See here. http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108376

Yikes! A battery in a fire alarm and changed filters are in the best interests of landlord, so personally, that's something I'm going to do. Toilet running is also landlord responsibility and a huge waste of water; you could get fined by the city for that.

OP, if you are a good tenant and want to stay just bring this up to your landlord directly, and then she can respond. I'm happy to keep good tenants, and want to preserve my property, so I'm good about doing all the stuff you mention. I wouldn't want you to repair the tissue holder either because you'd probably do a crappy job (not you personally, just tenants in general ), and I wouldn't want a temporary fix.

Really? You go to the rental property once a month to change the filters????