Condition Of Apt On Move-in
I know there are certain things that a tenant is responsible for, but I thought it was the responsibility of the landlord to make sure everything in the apartment was working for a new tenant before they moved in, and then if anything breaks due to normal wear and tear by the tenant, it would be my responsibility to replace or fix it. I noticed that several of the lights, including recess lighting and track lighting (on cathedral ceilings) did not work, as well as many missing light bulbs in many of the apt light fixtures. In all, there were about 13 lights either missing or not working. I asked the landlord about it, and she immediately got snippy with me and told me that the lighting was not her responsibility, told me that no one else ever complained about the lights, but then reluctantly said she would get replacement bulbs. As a first-time renter, I was appauled as to how she handled my concern. What I would like to know is, is it my responsibility to replace 13 lights (half of which are expensive) that didn’t work upon my moving in?
After her practically blaming me for being a big mistake for letting me stay there, i didn’t even have the courage to tell her that the bathroom tub faucet leaks!
Tagged with: Condition • Movein
Filed under: Home Repair
I just moved into my new rental home. The town came in and did a 40 point inspection that the property had to pass before the town issued a certificate of occupancy. My landlord had to paint, spackle nail holes, and be sure that all appliances were functioning properly. BTW normal wear and tear is the responsibility of your landlord. If you break something through negligence (accident), then you fix it. If something stops working (like plumbing, heating, a/c, appliances), then your landlord is most likely responsible unless there is specific language in your lease to the contrary. You want to have a good repoire with your landlord, but don’t let him/her take advantage of you. You were right to ask for the light bulbs.
To be honest once you’ve moved in light bulbs aren’t her problem anymore, they are something you should have checked before you signed the tenancy agreement. Usually your landlord should give you a list of things that were in the apartment before you moved in, this would have included any light fixtures and fittings including the taps. It is your responsibilty to check everything works before moving in. You should be thankful its just light bulbs, wait until the roof falls in then you have a reason to complain!
They should have noticed that light bulbs were missing and replaced them when they were turning the unit. One light, OK but 13?! no i would’ve made them replace all of them as well. That’s just common courtesy. Once she replaces the lights for you then it is your responsibility to change light bulbs.
hello rb, sounds like you have a tenant landlord problem- there is an organization called tenants and landlords rights-(metropolitan tenant organization)-mto. or you can contact 311, and ask for the building inspectors to come out and inspect your place.
If you DON’T report problems they will get worse and you can be held responsible for them. If the tub leaks for a year and falls through the floor you may be held responsible for not reprting the problem as you knew about it from Day One.
When you moved in you should have checked every light, every door and window, looked for subtle (and not so subtle) damage from top to bottom on every wall and fixture. You should have checked each burner on the stove, the oven, the toilet flush, the fridge, the locks, the condition of the carpet, etc. etc. etc. You might even be held responsible for missing/torn window screens.
Since you moved in and accepted the place you could now be held financially for all the damages you are now seeing.
The light bulbs are your problem going forward. They should have been working when you took possession, but unless they’re fancy or special bulbs, I would have just gone to WalMart or Home Depot.
The bathroom sink, on the other hand, is not your responsibility unless you do something stupid to break it. Tell her now that needs fixing. If it doesn’t get fixed it will get worse and worse until it can’t be fixed and has to be replaced. That will be a much bigger deal than a couple of light bulbs. If she balks on that, she didn’t make a mistake letting you move in, but you may have been the one who made a mistake.