We expect that residents handle basic maintenance issues. As a partner who benefits from shared rental profits, we encourage you to resolve minor issues independently to avoid reducing your share. Below is a list of some of these items to better help you prepare for your lease with us.
Most Common Tenant Responsible Maintenance Items:
- Unclog drains and toilets: Repair all clogged drains and toilets, except when caused by roots or breakdown to mainline not caused by resident... (read on below)
- Pest and rodent control: Residents are responsible for pest control, which includes but is not limited to fleas, ticks, scorpions, roaches, rodents, bees, ants, bed bugs etc... (read on below)
- Landscape: Maintain landscaping, to include watering, mowing, weeding, trimming of bushes and trees below 8 feet, blowing/raking leaves, and exterior power-washing... (read on below)
- Change air filters (HVAC): Supply and change heating and air conditioning filters at least once every three (3) months.
As an Up&Up renter, it is your responsibility to manage:
- Change air filters: Supply and change heating and air conditioning filters at least once every three (3) months.
- Change batteries: Supply and replace all batteries for smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, garage-door openers, ceiling fan remotes and other devices every 6 months. Test devices every quarter.
- Change light bulbs: Supply and replace all light bulbs, regardless of the type or the height or location of the bulb. You can always bring the bulb to Home Depot if you are unsure what replacement to buy.
- Clean frequently: Residents are responsible for taking good care of the home which includes cleaning at least one a week. Good cleaning practices will help prevent pests and other problems.
- Clean gutters: Residents are responsible for cleaning their gutters twice a year, once in early fall after most of the leaves have fallen, and once in the spring before heavy rains. Refer to this article for help.
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Fence maintenance:
- If a fence exists: Residents are responsible for any cosmetic repairs or upgrades such as paint or slats. If a fence is damaged as a result of wear and tear or outside elements, Up&Up will generally repair functional damages.
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If a fence does not exist: Up&Up will not install or build new fences. However, we will allow residents to add, build or modify their own fences at their own cost - and even offer residents a partial credit - as long as:
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- The work is done by a licensed vendor or plans submitted to us prior
- Residents provide us proof of a lien waiver that the fence is paid in full, and
- in compliance with local jurisdiction, as many HOA and municipalities require prior approval or building permits.
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- Dispose of garbage: Residents are responsible for proper recycling and sanitary waste disposal. Any fines we incur for improper recycling or trash disposal will be charged back to residents.
- Landscape: Maintain landscaping, to include watering, mowing, weeding, trimming of bushes and trees below 8 feet, blowing/raking leaves, and exterior power-washing. The exception to this is tall trees hanging over the roof where there is a risk of a branch snapping off and falling on the roof. It is recommended that tenants mow their lawn at least once a week during the growing season, or every other week off-season. Please note that certain municipalities or HOAs have strict rules on maximum grass height or foliage so any fines that we incur due to improper lawn care will be charged back to the tenant.
- Mitigate dangerous conditions: Residents should act promptly to mitigate (and where possible eliminate) any dangerous condition on the premises (e.g. fire, gas leaks) and contact the relevant emergency authorities.
- Mitigate standing water in basement: Residents must report any floods or large amounts of water in the basement that aren’t draining. If this is a recurring issue, refer to our help article to diagnose the issue. If the standing water is caused by problems with the foundation or an external event such as heavy rains, contact us and we will remedy the issue. It is important to distinguish between standing water and moisture or minor puddles from condensation, the latter of which is normal.
- Obtain passes for community or HOA facilities: Some of our homes have common facilities that are shared within a community or HOA. If residents want access to these facilities, it is their responsibility to contact the community and provide proof of occupancy. Up&Up will assist in providing documentation where needed to help our residents obtain keyfobs or passes
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Pest and rodent control: Residents are responsible for pest control, which includes but is not limited to fleas, ticks, scorpions, snakes, roaches, rodents, bees, ants, bed bugs etc. In the event pests or rodents are found, residents are responsible for hiring their own exterminators to remedy the issue, unless the landlord is otherwise required to by law. There are 2 exceptions to this:
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- Pests that cause structural damage to the home such as termites and carpenter bees
- Pests that are reported within 30 days of move-in for which we will provide 1 complimentary treatment
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- Replace sprinkler heads: Residents are responsible for repairing or replacing sprinkler heads and above-ground irrigation. The exception to this is a faulty sprinkler or sprinkler head is reported within 30 days of move-in.
- Repair ice-makers: We have a policy of not repairing ice-makers due to many of our residents not taking proper care of them. If your ice-maker breaks, refer to this article for help troubleshooting. The exception to this is if you report a faulty ice-maker within 30 days of moving in.
- Repair window blinds and screens: Residents are responsible for repairing any damaged window blinds and screens unless reported within 30 days of move-in.
- Replace lost keys: Replace any lost or displaced keys.
- Replace worn door weather stripping: Residents are responsible for removing and/or replacing worn door weather stripping. Weather stripping ensures proper insulation, helps to improve energy use and also helps prevents pests from entering the home.
- Repair intentional damages: Repair damages to the premises due to the fault of resident or resident's guests.
- Repair mailboxes: Repair or replace mailboxes and replace missing mailbox keys. If a key is not provided to a group mailbox, you may be required to obtain one directly from your local HOA as many communities only permit the occupant to obtain the key.
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Report damage caused by a person: Residents are generally responsible for reporting (and curing / mitigating when feasible) any property damage beyond ordinary wear and tear caused by an individual, whether accidental, negligent, reckless or intentional.
- Vandalism: In the event of damage from vandalism by an individual unknown to the resident, Up&Up may consider a partial credit if a police report is obtained within 48 hours of the incident and provided.
- Habilitability / safety issues: If the damage renders the property uninhabitable or unsafe, Up&Up will generally send a vendor out to remedy the damage.
- Unclog drains and toilets: Repair all clogged drains and toilets, except when caused by roots or breakdown to mainline not caused by resident. See this FAQ for help with this. If you are unable to clear a blockage with a plunger or snake, we can send someone out to help. However, we reserve the right to charge the servicing cost to you if we discover that you egregiously flushed objects that are not designed to be flushed.
- Washer and dryer servicing: Unless you purchase the Up&Up w/d add-on, Up&Up is not responsible for providing you with a washer and dryer, nor with maintaining or servicing any existing appliances that are present in the house.
- Winterize the premises: Winterize the premises (e.g., maintain minimum levels of heat to prevent freezing of water pipes and outdoor spigots, wrapping of outside water main in winter, removal of snow accumulations, removal of ice from front of premises, etc).
- Other requirements: Adhere to the requirements in the Resident Handbook and Lease Agreement.