Owning a rental property in Biloxi is an excellent way to earn passive income, although Mississippi's high vacancy rates make this a competitive market. Maintaining your property in excellent condition is one way to attract more tenants and retain them.
As a landlord, you are also legally obliged to keep your units in a safe, hospitable condition by carrying out routine property maintenance. Landlords aren't responsible for every tiny detail of property management, though.
Read on to find out about the tasks your tenants must undertake themselves.
Tenant Property Maintenance Responsibilities
Under Mississippi law, tenants must keep the premises as safe and clean as possible in compliance with community standards. They must:
- Dispose of rubbish, ashes, and other waste
- Keep plumbing fixtures clean and clear
- Not deliberately or negligently damage any part of the property
- Maintain the unit in the same condition as when they moved in
- Comply with applicable housing, building, and safety codes
Furthermore, the tenant must use all the home's facilities in a reasonable way. This includes plumbing, sanitation, heating, cooling, ventilation, and electrical systems, as well as appliances.
Tenants must inform the landlord of anything they know about that could cause damage to the premises.
They must request repairs in writing as soon as they notice the defect. If the landlord does not rectify the matter within 30 days, they can make the repairs and deduct the cost from their rent.
Tenants should not carry out repairs to the value of more than one month's rent and must not spend more than a reasonable amount of money on any repairs. If the repairs are urgent, they can proceed with the landlord's permission and deduct the costs from future rent amounts.
Optional Maintenance Tasks for Tenants
Landlords may request that tenants perform a few extra maintenance tasks, as long as these are clearly stated in the tenancy agreement. These responsibilities may include the following:
- Lawn care
- Fixing flooring
- Repairing furniture
- Replacing HVAC filters and safety equipment batteries
If your tenants have the necessary skills to manage some maintenance tasks, it's only fair that you reduce their rent accordingly. This helps foster good landlord-tenant relationships, which can promote lease renewals.
It's beneficial to you as a landlord if the tenant undertakes these tasks, especially if you live far away from the property. This can also speed up the process and prevent small repairs from becoming more costly ones.
Ultimately, you remain responsible for maintaining your property in a safe, habitable condition, so you must consider the risks of allowing tenants to undertake maintenance. If they don't fulfill their responsibilities, you could have many costly issues to rectify when they move out.
A Biloxi Property Manager Streamlines Property Maintenance
Whether you're a new landlord or own an established rental business, you benefit from having an expert team manage your property maintenance. This eliminates any gray areas from a legal aspect and ensures your property remains in pristine condition.
PMI Biloxi is backed by a franchise with over 20 years of experience in property management. We can help you navigate the complexities of Mississippi landlord-tenant law and save you money on maintenance costs.
Take steps to fine-tune the management of your Biloxi property today.
