A good fence is one feature many renters are aiming for when settling on a Perrysburg rental house. Predominantly in the single-family rental home market, a fenced yard is a vital draw for long-term renters. But the minute a fence gets damaged, who bears the financial burden for the repairs? The answer to that question depends on two things: the condition of the fence upon move in and how the fence was damaged.
If the fence around the property is in good repair but damaged by your tenant or their guests, your tenant is understood to be the one who will take responsibility for any repairs. However, if the property’s fence is damaged by weather or another outside source or if the fence was neglected or falling down upon move in, the responsibility for repairs typically belongs to the property owner. The best way to determine responsibility for fence repairs is to include specific, clear language in your lease agreements related to property damage.
What is the Current Condition of the Fence?
Regardless of your rental property’s location, there are state and local laws that demand that property owners make sure that their rental homes are fit to live in and up to code. The focus of these regulations is often on the house itself, which must have sufficient weatherproofing and feature safe and functioning heat, electric, and plumbing systems.
But ensuring a house is fit for compliance with the code would also include the yard and any exterior structures. Therefore, and regardless of whether they are decorative or material to the structure, fences are considered part of the property and must be kept in good repair. A broken-down fence is a safety hazard and creates unwelcome liabilities for a landlord.
What is the State of Wear and Tear?
Fences require consistent upkeep and repair, just like any other feature that is found in a rental home. If the fence around your rental home is looking worn or hasn’t been repaired for a long time, it is the responsibility of the property owner to return the fence to good condition. This is valid even if a fence becomes dilapidated even more because of tenant misuse.
Broken or collapsed sections of fencing is a serious safety hazard for which the property owner is responsible. This includes damage caused by severe weather or vandalism. These situations should be protected by a landlord’s insurance policy, which suggests that it is the landlord’s responsibility to take action on the needed repairs.
Who Caused the Damage?
If the fence encompassing your rental home is in good repair, but your renter or one of their guests destroys it, the tenant is typically accountable for repairs. Such damage must go beyond normal wear and tear, such as hitting the fence with their car or if tenants or guests accidentally break slats or l panels.
Nearly all leases declare that in the event a renter creates destruction to the property or allows others to do so, that renter is then liable for funding the repairs. If your tenant rejects his responsibility to do so, most landlord/tenant laws will enable the landlord to deduct the charge from the security deposit.
Guaranteeing that a complete and detailed move-in/move-out checklist is filled out amid every tenant is one way of documenting the condition of a rental home’s fence. This protects property owners from claims of existing repairs, as well as the tenant from accusations of negligence. When you hire a Real Property Management Clarity Team, you can be confident that such steps have been taken and that every aspect of your Perrysburg rental home is being monitored regularly. If you are interested in learning more contact us online or by phone at 567-200-2320.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
