What Tenants Must Do to Keep Your Rental in Good Shape
Renting a home comes with a lot of perks—tenants don’t have to worry about big repairs, property taxes, or surprise appliance replacements. But just like owning, it still takes effort to keep the place in good shape.
As a professional property management firm, Delavan PDX Property Management takes compliance seriously. And that includes multiple walkthroughs a year to educate and remind tenants of their responsibilities with taking care of your home.
Our leases, walkthroughs, and constant communication with tenants keep your rental safe, comfortable, and running smoothly. It also ensures they’re in compliance with lease terms and that they are keeping your home in great condition.
At Delavan, we believe clear expectations create better outcomes. Here are the top things tenants can do to stay compliant with their leases and help maintain the property year-round.
1. Report Issues Early
If something seems off, such as a weird smell, a slow drip, or a flickering light—tenants must report it to us immediately. Minor problems can become major repairs if they go unreported. That tiny leak under the sink? It can turn into warped cabinetry and water damage fast. Our Field Agent Tyler Brunhaver will check each water feature at the home by running each tap or shower head for up to a minute while looking at the pipes below to ensure no leak or drip escapes notice.
2. Keep Drains Clear
Tenants must avoid putting food, grease, hair, or anything solid down the drains. Our Owners supply drain screens in the kitchen and bathroom to catch debris. If a sink or shower is draining slowly, we first ask tenants to try a natural solution like vinegar and baking soda—and let us know if it doesn’t improve. If a tenant decides to put their Thanksgiving leftovers down into the drain, they will be educated about proper use. Clogs caused by misuse will always be applied as charges to the Tenant Portal so you are not incurring needless costs as an Owner.
3. Clean Furnace & Mini-Split Filters
Our leases require tenants to clean or replace furnace or mini-split filters every 6 months (more often if they have pets). This helps the system run efficiently and improves air quality—and it’s a simple way to stay compliant and avoid HVAC damage. Our dedicated walkthrough specialist Tyler Brunhaver will check and photograph filters in each walkthrough to ensure compliance.
4. Replace Light Bulbs and Batteries
Our leases require tenants to be responsible for replacing light bulbs and smoke detector batteries. This keeps the unit safe, compliant, and avoids unnecessary maintenance charges.
The only time a tenant is not mandated to change batteries or lightbulbs is if the device is located too high to access via a chair or short step stool – a tenant going higher than that opens you up to liability which may cause thousands of dollars in a legal battle.
5. Use Appliances Properly
Our leases expect reasonable and proper use of all appliances. Tenants cannot overload machines, nor use them for purposes they weren’t intended for. Misuse that leads to damage will result in repair charges and will be passed onto them to reimburse you for the costs. The most common one we find is when tenants place large tray or serving utensils which block the spinner at the top. This breaks the water spinner and renders the dishwasher unusable. For items such as that, we charge the repair invoice back to the tenant.
6. Keep It Clean
Regular cleaning isn’t just good hygiene—it’s part of our lease. Mold, pest issues, or excessive mess can lead to lease violations or move-out charges. We stay on top of spills, moisture, and general cleanliness and educate tenants when we see their homes are not being properly cleaned.
7. Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Our lease requires testing of these devices. Tenants must press the test button, replace batteries when needed, and report any malfunctions. These devices protect lives and are a critical part of tenant safety responsibilities. Tenants know never to remove detectors or tamper with them. All detectors are tested on each walkthrough and replaced as needed.
If a smoke detector is hard-wired and batteries are not working properly, then it is time to send out a handyman and put in a new detector – and that is an Owner cost. If a smoke detector is removed or tampered with, the tenant is issued a violation and a fee per their lease. Detectors save lives and protect your asset!
8. Mind the Seasons
Delavan keeps track of the weather and emails/texts all tenants when inclement weather arises. Is a freezing snap going to occur? A heat wave? We keep on top of the weather and communicate with our tenants to remind them of how they need to keep themselves, the home, and the landscaping safe.
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- Winter: Tenants must prevent frozen pipes by letting faucets drip and keeping heat above 62°F, especially if they are out of town. Leaving cupboards open to allow for additional airflow also combats pipes from freezing.
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- Summer: Use fans and blinds to maintain airflow and reduce moisture. Ensure that the sprinkler system is turned on and watering on a scheduled basis. No sprinkler? Tenants must hand water the landscaping to ensure the landscaping stays green.
Our leases include seasonal care expectations— and how tenants must follow them to ensure compliance. Our Contracting Services Division also has Summerization/Winterization plans as a backup to protect your home in the extreme weather months via our ANNUAL SERVICES PLAN.
9. Outdoor Areas Matter Too
A home is so much more than just the interior. Exterior items matter too! Delavan’s leases includes tenant responsibility for outdoor spaces:
- Mow the lawn and pull weeds, if tenant maintained
- Remove trash or debris to offset the chance of pests or rodents
- Clean all pet waste from the property
- Clear leaves from outdoor drains or walkways to reduce pooling and water damage
Failing to maintain outdoor areas could result in fees or lease violations for tenants.
10. Be Respectful of the Space
Our tenants are not allowed to drill exterior holes or make permanent changes without written approval and an executed addendum permitting work to take place. Our leases outline what they can and can’t do. Painting rooms, changing flooring, or altering permanent fixtures is a lease violation.
We’re Here to Help
At Delavan PDX Property Management, we work hard to make sure tenants and owners understand their responsibilities and expectations. When tenants take care of the home, stay in compliance, and communicate openly, everyone benefits.
If you have a home and you no longer want to worry about repairs or maintenance, we are just a call away. If you are looking for a professional property management company that holds tenants accountable and keeps your investment in top condition, we’re here for that too.
We manage great homes—and great relationships. Let’s keep it that way.
Explore More in Our Maintenance Advantage Series:
How Smart Repairs, Tenant Responsibility & Strategic Updates Maximize Rental Income
- Annual Maintenance Services Every Rental Needs
- “Who Fixes What?”: Understanding Tenant vs. Landlord Repair Responsibilities
- What Tenants Must Do to Keep Their Home in Good Shape
- The Hidden Dangers of Delaying Affordable Maintenance (and How We Prevent Costly Repairs)
- Beyond Repairs: Adjacent Services You Didn’t Know Property Managers Handle
- Turnover Tips: How to Refresh a Rental Without Overspending
Explore More in Our Unraveling Series:
What Do Property Management Companies Do?
- The Daily Grind: Tasks That Make Property Managers Superheroes (Without Capes)
- Tenant Relations: The Art of Keeping Tenants Happy (or at least not calling you at 2 AM)
- Bills and Balances: How Property Management Companies Handle Money Like Pros
- The Legal Jargon: Staying Out of Trouble with Laws and Regulations
- The Marketing Magic: How We Fill Vacancies Faster than You Can Say “Rent”