Key Takeaways
Landlords must meet state habitability and safety codes to ensure their rental units are legally compliant and livable for tenants.
Failure to maintain a safe rental property can lead to legal consequences, tenant turnover, and lost rental income due to vacancies.
Regular inspections and proactive maintenance help landlords detect and fix issues early, avoiding costly repairs and potential liability.
Clear communication with tenants on how to report problems ensures faster issue resolution and contributes to tenant satisfaction and retention.
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As a landlord, one of the key responsibilities you have under your state’s habitability codes is ensuring you comply with the safety standards.
Your rental property must meet specific safety codes to be considered livable.
If you fail to do so, there may be certain potential repercussions.
For example, the tenant may sue you for damages, cancel the lease without penalty, or obtain a court order to force you to make the property safer.
What’s more, as a landlord, failing to provide a safe unit could impact your reputation. As a result, you may struggle to attract and retain quality tenants in your rental property.
This could lead to extended vacancies, which could significantly eat into your profits.
With that in mind, here are some tips from Abrams Realty to help you meet the requisite safety standards.
Check Whether You Meet the Legal Requirements
Before renting out your home, you must ensure that your property meets certain minimum safety requirements.
These are contained under the state’s habitability codes. The codes typically cover the minimum standards for aspects such as sanitation, structural integrity, and essential services.
For example, it’d be unlawful to rent out a property that has any of the following safety concerns:
Significant foundation cracks.
A leaky roof or a damaged ceiling.
Unsafe stairs or railings.
Rotten ceilings or floors.
Lack of adequate heating during the cold weather seasons.
Gas leaks.
Severe mold issues.
Broken or inadequate locks.
Lack of working smoke detectors or carbon monoxide alarms.
For specific codes, check with the local municipality where your property is located. Alternatively, work with a local property management company to help keep your property legally compliant in this regard.
Regularly Inspect the Property for Issues
Regularly inspecting your rental property will ensure early detection of issues. Sometimes, a tenant may not be as savvy and may not be able to catch issues and report them early.
Consequently, the issue may become serious over time and potentially costly to repair. That’s why regular property inspection is key to success.
You’ll be able to catch issues early and handle them appropriately.
When conducting the inspections, make sure to have a list so you don’t miss anything.
The list should include inspection of things like plumbing, electrical systems, heating, ventilation, structural integrity, and air conditioning.
Meet the Minimum Fire Safety Standards
Most states require landlords to install smoke- and carbon dioxide detectors in every bedroom of a rental unit. If renting out an apartment, you may also need to install the detectors on every floor.
In addition to providing working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, you may also be required to do the following:
Provide functional fire extinguishers in locations that are easily accessible.
Ensure the property has a clear fire escape plan should the building be engulfed in a fire. This can include having unobstructed exits and emergency escape windows.
Meet the Minimum Health and Environmental Standards
Providing a habitable rental property also means meeting the minimum health and environmental standards as well.
During your routine inspections, you’ll also want to check for any of the following issues:
Mold infestations.
Pest infestations.
Lead-based paint concentrations. This is especially required of landlords renting out older units built before 1978.
Let the Tenant Know How to Report Issues Promptly
After you have found a great tenant, make sure they know their repair and maintenance responsibilities immediately after moving in, including reporting issues as soon as they spot them.
Make sure to provide them with the emergency contact information. The contact should be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Also, provide them with guidelines on how to follow the safety guidelines. For example, what steps to take in case of water leaks or flooding in the unit.
Other Additional Safety Considerations
The following are other things that you may want to consider when it comes to meeting the unit’s safety standards:
Ensure the property meets the accessibility standards if renting to a tenant with a disability. You may need to make certain reasonable modifications to the unit. For instance, installing wheelchair ramps and/or installing grab bars in the bathrooms.
Equip the property with things like a first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries, and other emergency supplies.
Ensure the property has sturdy locks, working windows, and functional door locks.
Consider upping the security system ante by installing things like security cameras and motion-sensor lights for additional security.
Bottom Line
Providing a rental unit that meets the basic safety standards is a recipe for landlording success. You’ll ensure legal compliance and provide the tenant a safe and comfortable home.
When a tenant feels safe and comfortable in their rented unit, they are most likely to stay long-term for an optimal ROI.
For expert help in any aspect of landlording in Virginia Beach, look no further than Abrams Realty.
We are a full-service property management company and can save you the time, effort, and frustration that comes with managing a rental property. Get in touch with us today to learn more!
