What’s My Responsibility for Apartment Maintenance?

Before you commit to renting a particular apartment or home, be sure you clarify what the policies are for apartment maintenance. While some are obvious, like cleaning, others may not be so clear. The plumbing and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems aren’t as widely understood by renters and homeowners alike. You can avoid being responsible for any damages by using and caring for them properly.

Plumbing

While you’re not responsible for the supply water coming in, you could be at fault for misusing the garbage disposal, toilets or sinks. The only things you should put down the disposal are those that are soft enough for you to chew.

Do not grind up corn cobs, stringy food, bones, and overly starchy foods like potatoes, rice and pasta. Never pour grease down any sink, and don’t use the toilet for anything but human waste. Kitty litter and flushable wipes aren’t really flushable, and will eventually clog up your apartment’s drain pipes.

HVAC System

Unless the landlord or management company provides air filters and replaces them routinely for you, it’s in your best interest to keep an eye on the air filter. A dirty filter causes more preventable HVAC problems than anything else. It will cover the components inside the air handler, which makes the system work harder.

Most landlords provide the filters free-of-charge as part of apartment maintenance and assume the tenant will change them. It’s especially important to do so if you’re paying your own cooling bills.

If your rental has an outdoor condenser that sits on the ground near your unit, don’t cover it with anything that could block the air flowing through it. Hose off the coils periodically. A clean condenser with ample air flowing through it will last longer and use less energy. If the coils have stubborn dust or grass clippings on them, let the management know so that they can schedule professional cleaning.

Tending to regular apartment maintenance issues creates a win-win situation for everyone. If you’d like more information, contact Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions, providing trusted HVAC services for Orlando-area residents.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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