Renting property can be a lot of work and knowing who is in charge of what tasks can be daunting. Whether you are a renter or a landlord, you should know your rights so you don’t spend money on something you are not responsible for.
To make you feel more comfortable, we have put together this guide which contains information on some of the situations where roof damage can occur. You will indicate when it is the landlord’s responsibility to repair the roof and when it is the tenant’s responsibility. We’ll also talk about tax deductions and when you should rent a roof contractor.
In most cases, the landlord is responsible for handling repairs and other maintenance tasks, but let’s break down some aspects of the responsibility of caring for a rental property.
Who Handles Roof Repairs on Rental Properties?
In most cases, your landlord is responsible for arranging roof repairs. This is especially true if the roof damage is severe enough to make the home unsafe.
If the tenant causes damage, they may be partially or fully liable to pay for the damage. For cosmetic damage, for example, the owner is not responsible because it does not affect the safety of the property.
What is the Owner’s Responsibility for Repairs on a Rental Property?
To begin with, it’s important to make sure that the building complies with the code. The owner should take care of this before anyone living on the property.
Other maintenance responsibilities include:
- Take out the trash regularly
- Pest control
- Structural integrity and weather protection
- Heat and air conditioning
- Power cable
Mold can be annoying and a health hazard, but it is the homeowner’s responsibility to repair it if the cause is water damage or a leak. If tenants do not clean the room properly and cause mold due to excessive humidity, it is their responsibility.
In some cases, mold can be a roof problem. It can be from an uncovered attic, poorly installed insulation, or even no insulation. In the case of an uncovered attic or roof damage, a roofing contractor is the best way to solve the problem.
Who is Responsible for Roof Repairs in Townhouses?
Townhouse repair responsibilities can be tricky as they have multiple homes under one roof. So who is responsible when the roof is damaged in certain parts of the building?
If the townhouse is a lease, the landlord is again responsible for making repairs. Tenants must communicate with landlords to ensure repairs can begin immediately. However, if the tenant is liable for the damage, such as tinkering with shingles to install a satellite dish, they are liable to pay for the damage.
If you own a townhouse, you are solely responsible for damages. However, if you share ownership of the townhouse units, all owners must pay damages.
When Can Tenants Handle Roof Repairs on Rental Properties?
Sometimes, a tenant may obtain written permission from the landlord to make certain repairs to the rental property. However, roof damage is considered structural damage, and renters doing the repairs themselves can lead to liability issues, questions of ownership, and possibly lead to further damage.
In most cases, it’s best to let a professional roofing contractor handle the repairs.
Are Roof Repairs Tax Deductible?
Landlords may have a hard time during tax season if they don’t know whether to write a roof contractor job as a repair or upgrade. You can think of a leaky roof as a deduction for your taxes, but replacing the entire roof is more of an upgrade than a repair, so it’s not deductible.
Talking about individual deductibles, what needs to be depreciated over time, and so on will take a long time. Either way, landlords should research what roofing work is considered tax-deductible. These things can change annually between states, so always double check before filing your taxes.
How Long Does the Owner Have to Repair a Leaking Roof?
The answer to this question can vary from state to state and even from year to year. It also depends on the severity of the leak. For example, it’s not a bad leak if you can catch the leak with a bucket for a few days. This can become a bigger problem if the bucket fills up faster, and you need to empty it regularly.
Water damage is very detrimental to buildings because mold can grow in spaces where water collects. If left unchecked, mold can even pose a health hazard. If you suspect water damage, check to make sure no mold is growing, and always ask a roofing contractor to repair a leaky roof.
In most cases, homeowners should have a leaky roof repaired within 30 days. However, for more significant issues, it’s best to have the leak repaired within a day or two to avoid a bigger issue.
When Can Landlords Make Tenants Pay for Repairs?
You will usually find a list of things you are responsible for as a tenant in your lease. This also includes items that will be taken care of by the owner.
Tenants only need to pay compensation if they were directly involved in the accident. Whatever the problem, the tenant must notify the landlord so repairs can begin immediately. Delaying repairs can lead to more significant problems that the tenant may be responsible for because they should have informed the landlord about the problem.
In short, tenants must do their part to keep the unit or house livable. This means leaving the contractors and repairmen inside to fix the unit, not overloading electrical outlets, not flushing the wrong stuff down the toilet, and so on.
Who is Responsible for Roof Repair After a Natural Disaster?
Sometimes, natural disasters such as heavy rain, fire or lightning can damage or even destroy the roof of your house. In this case, the tenant can temporarily vacate while the roofing contractor repairs the roof. That said, homeowners are not required to pay for temporary housing, but they will likely be responsible for roof repairs.
Most landlords require their tenants to purchase renters insurance. This will include repairing or replacing the tenant’s belongings. Otherwise, it is the owner’s responsibility to repair the building with the help of a roofing contractor or other repairman.
That said, some renters’ insurance policies may cover roof damage and replacement costs, so read back the fine print to make sure you know what your policy covers. Professional roofing contracts are used to fill out insurance claims and will help you navigate through all the paperwork.
When Should You Call for Roof Repair?
Once you know you need roof repairs, you should contact your local roofing contractor as soon as possible. They can appraise your property for free, provide an estimate, and schedule repairs at the next available time for you.
Often, it is the tenant’s sole responsibility to notify the landlord of the problem, and the landlord will enter into an agreement with the roofing contractor.
Final Thoughts
Now you have a better idea of what the responsibilities of renters and landlords are. In general, it is the owner’s responsibility to repair the damage if the cause is normal wear and tear or natural disasters. Tenants must pay a fee if they are the source of the damage.
