As a renter, you may have more rights than you know. Owning a home is a great dream, but it does come with a lot of responsibility. When something goes wrong on a rental property, you may be inconvenienced, but it’s not up to you to fix it. As a renter, it is always a good idea to know about landlord responsibilities.

Beyond the normal wear and tear, many things can go wrong. Many apartments or rental homes have appliances that come with the property. When something happens to the washer or the stove, you don’t have to fix it. This is one of many landlord responsibilities. In the past years, there are have been devastating storms that have ravaged the southern part of our country. The most notable have been Louisiana and Mississippi. Many of the homeowners have lost everything and don’t have the money to rebuild. For those in the damaged areas who were renters, they don’t have the financial responsibility to rebuild, though they do have to find a place to live. Rebuilding those homes are landlord responsibilities.

Besides appliances, the general upkeep of the exterior of the house is also part of landlord responsibilities. This might include wind damage to siding, peeling paint, broken steps or gutters. You should have a look through your lease, but usually part of landlord responsibilities includes the upkeep and maintenance of the yard, if you have one, and any trees or shrubs. The landlord may pay you to take care of lawn mowing, or they may hire a landscaping company.

Landlord responsibilities also extend to your heating and water systems. They should have your heating system inspected each year before it is turned on. If there is a problem with the plumbing or heating, they should fix it, or contact someone to fix it, as soon as possible. If you have any questions about landlord responsibilities, refer to your lease. If the lease fails to help you understand, don’t be afraid to call your landlord and ask for specifics. Simple communication is often the key to avoiding huge issues between landlord and tenant.

Perhaps one of the biggest landlord responsibilities is to keep records and making sure your security deposit is returned to you when you vacate the premises. Your lease should spell out what is expected when you move out. If you are sure everything is as it should be, and you haven’t received your money, you can file a complaint. As a last resort, you can get legal help in regards to landlord responsibilities. If you feel you are mistreated or that your living situation is dangerous and your landlord won’t do anything about it, don’t be afraid to ask for legal help.