{"id":369234,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/landlords-duties-regarding-repairs-maintenance-and-to-provide.html"},"modified":"2024-06-13T16:18:05","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T21:18:05","slug":"landlords-duties-regarding-repairs-maintenance-and-to-provide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/landlords-duties-regarding-repairs-maintenance-and-to-provide.html","title":{"rendered":"Landlords’ Duties: Repairs, Maintenance, and Notice to Tenants for Entry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Landlords' Duties: Repairs, Maintenance, and Notice to Tenants for Entry <\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

With or without a rental agreement, landlords must ensure the rental property is habitable. This means the property complies with state and local housing codes. Landlords must maintain common areas and plumbing, make sure the heat works in the winter, and keep the rental property in working order.<\/p>\r\n

As a landlord, you have a legal duty to perform necessary repairs and maintenance for occupancy. This includes major repairs. Minor repairs, including replacing light bulbs and general upkeep, are often part of the tenant’s responsibility.<\/p>\r\n

Busy or frugal landlords may be tempted to let repairs slide. However, when the repair concerns tenant safety, it’s important to fix the issue as soon as possible.<\/p>\r\n

Landlord Duties<\/h2>\r\n

Typically, the lease agreement outlines repair responsibilities for the landlord and the tenant. Landlords or property management usually bear the cost of repairs.<\/p>\r\n

The following is a noninclusive list of repairs that are generally the landlord’s responsibility:<\/p>\r\n