You think you’re getting the best of both worlds when renting an apartment. You get to live in a nice place without worrying about any hassles of property ownership. It all seems hunky-dory until you encounter your first leaky tap or deal with a boiler problem in the middle of the night, and you don’t know what to do or who to call in that situation.
If you live in an apartment block, chances are your landlord works with a block management service that handles essential upkeep, from boiler maintenance to general repairs. These companies ensure that shared spaces are well-maintained, taking care of minor repairs and fixes, like providing deck washing solutions and checking that all cam latches on doors and cabinets are functional.
They would also be your first call if you find your bathroom leaking or smell gas.
While your landlord or their appointed property manager is usually responsible for property upkeep, even you, as a renter, will have certain responsibilities.
In this guide for renters, we will look at certain things that you need to know about your apartment maintenance as a renter.
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Even the Best Buildings Need a Bit of Care
You probably think that you can get out of apartment maintenance by just upgrading to a better apartment block with more facilities or a luxury apartment in the city. You may be wrong; luxury apartment complexes in London and elsewhere in the UK will promise you a lifestyle of convenience, and you’ll have maintenance teams just one call away, but you still have some responsibility.
For example, you are expected to keep your apartment clean and spot minor issues before they become major inconveniences. There are also other day-to-day responsibilities, such as ventilating rooms, ensuring your furniture is fire-resistant, and disposing of waste promptly.
How to Tell the Difference Between Minor and Major Issues?
A minor issue is something you can fix yourself by sparing a few minutes. For example, replacing a bulb in the bedroom, unclogging a toilet or replacing the battery of a fire alarm. Major issues threaten the safety or security of not just your flat but also that of the entire building. It can be something like a boiler issue or a pest outbreak.
Some problems need expert intervention. For example, despite trying home remedies, your toilet still doesn’t unclog; you might need an experienced plumber. If you smell smoke or gas in your flat, you probably need to ask your landlord to call the gas engineer or an electrician.
Remember, landlords may enter a flat without the tenant’s permission in an emergency situation. It’s only during regular inspections that they are required to notify you a day in advance.
Understanding Tenant Responsibilities
A part of being a tenant involves treating the place as your home. This doesn’t involve making structural changes to your apartment; rather, it’s about doing more than the bare minimum to maintain it. As a tenant, your responsibilities can shift slightly throughout the year depending on the weather. For example, during winter, you may be expected to keep your apartment warm enough to prevent frozen pipes or damp spots.
Whereas during summer, you’ll have to make sure all the rooms are well ventilated to prevent mould from growing in the corners of the flat. Your lease might not explicitly mention these things, but they often fall under vague phrases like ‘reasonable use’ or ‘tenant-like manner’.
When to Report, Not Repair
One of the most important responsibilities of a tenant is to report maintenance issues as soon as they become aware of them. This will allow your landlord to take timely interventions but also prevent any health and safety hazards. If you notice a wet spot on the wall, hear strange noises in the pipes, or encounter issues with the lock, the best course of action is to report it immediately. It’ll take your landlord 24 to 48 hours before they can inspect or investigate it.
The longer you wait before reporting such problems, the more likely it is that the problems will escalate, and the landlord might hold you partly responsible for it.
Take a Closer Look at Your Lease
When you first move into your rented flat, it’s tempting to skip going through the fine print and jump straight to signing the documentation and getting the keys. This is not advisable because in this document, you will find details of the things that are your responsibility. Some agreements specify tasks such as replacing blinds or maintaining specific appliances.
If the contract does not include a task list and instead states that you must “maintain the flat in a tenant-like manner,” you should definitely speak with your landlord. This will help avoid any surprises later.
Your Responsibilities Might Not Stop at Your Front Door
It’s logical to think that all your maintenance responsibilities will be confined to your flat. However, you might be wrong in thinking that. Many apartments come with extras like balconies, parking spaces, or shared storage, and renters often forget that they are collectively responsible for overall maintenance.
For instance, as a tenant, it’s your responsibility not to store boxes or extra items in the hallway or near the emergency exit or staircase. This can jeopardise safety and prevent emergency evacuation.
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A Little Toolkit Can Go a Long Way
You’re not expected to be a handyman, but stocking a few basic tools and knowing how to use them can definitely make your life easier. It could be something as simple as a screwdriver to help replace some fittings or a plunger to deal with everyday blockages. These tools help you save time and stress when small things go wrong.
You could also keep a list of numbers handy so you know who to call if something goes wrong. The numbers could include your landlord, the apartment block management company, or repair professionals.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, renting an apartment doesn’t mean that you just pay rent and let your landlord handle the rest. You may also have some maintenance-related duties as a tenant, and you need to pay attention to them regularly.
There are block management companies that can help you with emergencies and building-wide maintenance issues. Despite this, the onus is still on you to ensure they are informed about small problems promptly, so they don’t become bigger issues.
It’s not too difficult to run a well-functioning apartment. Staying informed about your responsibilities and understanding the difference between your tasks and your landlord’s tasks should make your life much easier.
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