One of the perks of renting versus buying a home is that you typically have some everyday maintenance chores taken care of for you, rather than having to do that yourself. While these tasks can range from cutting the lawn to shoveling the sidewalk, there’s another important task that needs to be handled — your gutter maintenance. But who’s belt does that fall under? If you’re unsure if your landlord is responsible for your gutters, you should do you research.
It May Be Your Responsibility If:
If you handle other yard work, such as mowing the lawn or keeping the hedges trimmed, you may also be responsible for the condition of your gutters. This is often the case when your rent an entire house with property versus an apartment in a multiple family home or complex.
You may also be responsible for your gutters if you live in a certain unit of your apartment. For example, if you rent the larger or ground floor unit of a house, you may be responsible for keeping up with the home’s exterior maintenance, including the gutters.
It May Be Your Landlord’s Responsibility If:
If you live in a multi-unit apartment building or in a complex with its own maintenance team, you likely won’t be responsible for keeping your gutter cleans or in good condition. Your gutters may also be your landlord’s responsibility if he or she already takes care of the grounds and/or home’s exterior.
How to Know for Sure
A surefire way to see who’s really responsible for gutter maintenance and upkeep is by checking your lease. You can have this determined before you sign your lease, or you can ask your landlord who handles the gutters after your lease is already signed. Whether it’s your job or your landlord’s, you should always make sure your gutters are clean and in good condition.
