Responsibility vs. Liability
There is a blurry line sometimes between these two topics when it comes to managing a rental property. Contracts can state one thing and civil court can say another. For example, lets say that you put in your contract that the tenant is responsible for maintenance on the door locks. Then, one day a lock to the front door is broken and the tenant calls you demanding you replace it. You remind the tenant of their contractual obligations and even email them a copy of to drive your point home. Now lets say that later that week somebody breaks in to the property and robs or assaults that same tenant. The tenant can now go after you in civil court for all damages. Same case if there is a broken step on the wooden front porch that was caused by a tenant’s dog pulling up the board because it was chained to it. If you refuse to fix it because it was clearly caused by the tenant’s neglect and then somebody gets injured from it you could be held liable. This knowledge and more is what you pay your property manager for. Not simply collecting the rent and calling over maintenance personnel.
Is your property manager taking care of you in cases like this and more? If not, call one of your 250 local Real Property Management offices. Real Property Management Charleston Choice 843-900-4061