Landlord's Legal Kit For Dummies, 2nd Edition
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Every residential rental contract, whether it's a lease or a month-to-month rental contract, contains an implied warranty of habitability. In other words, even if not included in the contract, you, the landlord, are obligated to your residents to provide living space that's fit for human occupancy and complies with state and local building, health, and safety codes that materially (significantly) affect a tenant's health and safety.

Although residents are responsible for some repairs, especially if they break something, you're responsible for repairing any problems that make the rental unit uninhabitable — unfit to live in. The implied warranty of habitability obligates you, as landlord, to provide the following:

  • Windows and doors in working condition

  • Floors, stairways, and railings in good repair

  • Effective weather protection and waterproofing of roof and exterior walls

  • Plumbing in good working order, including running water, a sufficient amount of hot water, and sewage disposal

  • Electrical system in good working order, including wiring, outlets, lighting, and equipment

  • Gas in good working order, if applicable

  • Heating, in areas where heating is required

  • Clean and sanitary buildings, grounds, and other areas

  • Adequate trash receptacles

  • At least one working toilet, sink, and bathtub or shower — bathtub or shower must allow privacy and be ventilated

  • A kitchen with a sink made of non-absorbent material (not wood, for example)

  • Emergency fire exits

  • Deadbolt lock and peephole on entry door(s) to unit

  • Working smoke detectors

  • Locking mailbox

  • Ground fault circuit interrupters for outlets near water, such as in bathroom and kitchen and near pool and sauna

Establish a maintenance and repair policy and system for responding quickly to resident requests for maintenance. Respond as quickly as possible to requests for repairs to problems that make a unit uninhabitable, such as a broken furnace on a very cold day, a smoke detector that doesn't work, or a sink that's backing up.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Laurence C. Harmon, JD, is the CEO of HARMONLAW LLC, specializing in apartment-related legal and property management consulting.

Robert S. Griswold, MBA, MSBA, is a successful real estate investor and property manager with a large portfolio of residential and commercial rental properties.

Laurence C. Harmon, JD, is the CEO of HARMONLAW LLC, specializing in apartment-related legal and property management consulting.

Robert S. Griswold, MBA, MSBA, is a successful real estate investor and property manager with a large portfolio of residential and commercial rental properties.

Laurence C. Harmon, JD, is the CEO of HARMONLAW LLC, specializing in apartment-related legal and property management consulting.

Robert S. Griswold, MBA, MSBA, is a successful real estate investor and property manager with a large portfolio of residential and commercial rental properties.

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