There is a lot that goes into renting a new place. Many people assume that as a renter, if there are any problems with their living quarters, it's completely up to their landlord to fix it.
The truth is that depends on a number of factors. Most importantly, what does your lease say? You may be tempted to gloss over the details and just sign it, but it's a binding contract that specifies things like how repairs should be handled and who is responsible for paying for them.
When it comes to your plumbing, your landlord is likely responsible for any major repairs. You shouldn't be expected to pay for a brand new water heater if the old one stops working.
But for more minor repairs, it can depend on what your lease says and who is responsible for any damages. If you're putting a bunch of items down your garbage disposal that causes the motor to burn out prematurely, then you might be on the hook for those repairs.
Similarly, if a minor problem like a leak underneath the sink turns into a major repair because you didn't report it promptly, then you could be held liable for the damages.
Some landlords have their own in-house maintenance crews for minor repairs. Others have standing relationships with specific service companies.
Before a problem comes up, make sure you know who is responsible for fixing it and what actions you're required to take. Are you expected to any handle minor repairs? Does your lease authorize you to get minor plumbing problems fixed on your own and take the repair bill off your rent?
As a tenant in a rental propery, make sure you have a firm grasp of your plumbing and what your responsibilities are for maintaining it.
Take A Tour
Familiarizing yourself with your new rental is important. During the tour, before they hand you the keys, be sure to ask some plumbing-related questions. Where is the water shutoff valve? Where's your hot water heater?
Does your property have any known plumbing issues that you need to be aware of? You don't want to blamed for these later and have it come out of your security deposit.
Knowing the answers to these questions can set your mind at ease so you can be prepared for what to do if you have any plumbing issues during your lease.
Buy Basic Plumbing Supplies
Basic plumbing supplies for a new rental are just as important as the supplies you're expected to have for cooking or cleaning. Some items you'll want to have on hand include a plunger or plumbing snake. You might also consider a sink strainer to keep food or other debris from clogging up your drains.
You may not think you'll need them, but if you clog a sink or toilet on a night or weekend, you'll be glad you can make minor plumbing repairs on your own instead of waiting for the maintenance crew to get around to it.
Check The Water Heater Temperature
You might assume your water heater is already set to the proper temperature, but you don't want to get scalded or run out of hot water. The former tenants may not have had it set properly or your landlord might have turned it way down to try to save money on utilities. The magic temperature is around 120 degrees. Not too hot and not too cold.
Be Winter Ready
If you're renting during the colder months, you'll want to make sure your rental is protected against freezing temperatures. If you're renting a home, make sure the hose is disconnected from the outside bib. If bitter cold temperatures are in the forecast, keep your heat set to at least 60 degrees and open your cabinets so that warm air can circulate and let the sinks drip to prevent your pipes from freezing.
There are more responsibilities than you might think you have to deal with as a renter, including your plumbing. At the end of your lease, the rental property needs to be in good shape if you want to get your deposit back.
By being proactive and preventing plumbing problems before they arise, you won't have to wait around for the landlord to fix a problem. If any problems do arise that you can't handle on your own, ask your landlord to contact a plumber they can trust to get the job done right. Our team at United Plumbing works with many landlords and tenants to keep the plumbing in rental properties running smoothly.