subject: Maintaining a High Standard of Habitability for Rental Homes, Condos and Apartments [print this page] Maintaining a High Standard of Habitability for Rental Homes, Condos and Apartments
What is "Habitability" and why is it important that the property management company you hire place a high priority on it?
Habitability is a measurement of how safe and healthy a living environment is. The following represents the minimum standard a property should meet to offer it as a quality rental property and this is what you should expect from your property management company.
Weatherproof - A rental must be waterproof and weatherproof. Doors and windows should seal properly, and the roof, floors and walls should keep out wind and rain. Windows should latch properly.
Locks - All outside doors should have proper deadbolts that meet code compliance. Those locks should work properly with the keys the landlord provides to the tenant. Locks shall be changed or re-keyed between residents.
Plumbing - A unit must have hot and cold running water supplied through appropriate fixtures and are connected properly to a sewage system. The water and the plumbing systems must be adequate for normal use and kept in good working order.
Electrical - The electric utility should be adequate to supply the load demands of the property. Electrical service should be maintained to current code standards and no electrical wiring can be exposed. Lighting, outlets, switches must be correct with proper covers. These features must also be adequate for normal use and kept in good working condition.
Heating - The property must have an adequate heat source to heat the whole unit. The heating system must be installed properly and shall be safe and in good working order. Proper furnace filters should be clean for new residents.
Safety equipment - The unit must be safe from fire hazards, and the landlord must proper working smoke detector(s) throughout. While tenants are responsible for replacing batteries in their smoke detectors, the landlord is responsible for ensuring smoke detectors are in good working order when a tenant moves in. Carbon Monoxide detectors may be required and maintained if the law permits. There should be no cracked or broken window panes. Railings should be installed properly and in good working order. Trip hazards should be repaired to reasonable standards.
Appliances - If the rental unit includes appliances, they must be clean and maintained in good working order at all times. Appliances include stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry equipment and hot water heaters.
Exterior - The exterior should have a nice appearance and good curb appeal. The paint or brick surface should be presentable with no major paint chipping. The railings should be safe and functional and there should be no tripping hazards. Exterior lighting should be functional at all times. Gutters and downspouts should be clean of debris working properly.
Landscaping - Homes with yards should be groomed and in nice overall condition when tenant takes possession. Tenant or Landlord should maintain yard according to lease requirements thereafter. Gutters should be cleaned and in good working order.
Cleanliness - All properties must be "professionally cleaned" throughout upon move-in including "professional" carpet cleaning. Decks and lanais should be free of debris, moss and mildew. All garbage and debris must be removed and hazardous waste shall be removed from the property.
Apartment Buildings - An apartment building includes common areas that need special attention. The landlord's duty to maintain applies not only to a tenant's individual unit, but also to these common areas, such as entryways, hallways, floors, walls, ceilings, stairways, railings, laundry and storage areas, and landscaping. Signage should be clean and easy to read. The overall building must be adequately maintained and have a nice appearance at all times.
All of these factors are monitored so that habitability never falls below an acceptable standard. The overall value of the property is retained and many expensive repairs are averted.
