Duty To Repair
Being a Landlord has many different aspects of responsibility. Landlords provide a place for tenants to live and call home. Often landlords overlook some basic needs and requirements of the property which over the long term can have a greater financial cost to the owner.
Repair and maintenance is one of those needs overlooked. It is important landlords repair and maintain their property to meet health and safety standards required by law. The property doesn’t have to have the most recent appliances or flooring, it needs to have items that are in good working condition.
When a landlord fails to repair and maintain the basic needs of the property, tenants have options to seek compensation from the Residential Tenancy Branch. A recent Residential Tenancy case found a tenant choosing to vacate the property before the end of the fixed term due multiple repairs not completed upon request, including water damage and an inoperable heating system. The RTB determined these issues were material terms of the tenancy agreement providing the tenants the right to end the tenancy early without being held responsible for the remainder of the term. Normally, tenants who terminate a fixed term agreement could be held responsible for the remaining months rent of a fixed term agreement. The rental unit was then vacant for four months until new tenants could be located. The cost of searching and placing a tenant, plus lost rental revenue for four months may have been more costly than completing the repairs to the unit, which still needs to be completed before new tenants occupy the property.
It is important for landlords to complete repairs in a timely manner ensuring costs don’t increase and tenants won’t have opportunities for compensation through the RTB.
One way for landlords to assist in keeping repair costs manageable is, inspect the property regularly. Cartref Properties inspects all properties twice a year and can provide more when owners request additional inspections.
Cartref Properties specializes in managing rental units located within Strata Corporations.
Need assistance with your rental property contact us for an evaluation of your needs.
www.cartrefproperties.com
