Landlord Obligations: the law and the Act
The Residential Tenancies Act( RTA) 1986 sets out a framework that all landlords and tenants must adhere to when entering into any tenancy agreement. These rules have been developed to provide clear guidelines and boundaries for all those involved in the process.
LANDLORD RESPONSIBILITIES
Before and during the tenancy, landlords must:
• Provide the property in a reasonably clean and tidy condition
• Maintain the property in a reasonable state of repair throughout the tenancy
• Comply with all relevant building, health, and safety requirements
• Ensure the uninterrupted supply of gas, electricity, water, telephone, or other essential services, except where interruption is necessary for maintenance or to prevent danger
• Ensure all locks are functional and the property is reasonably secure
• Install smoke alarms that are compliant and in good working order, with batteries installed at the start of each new tenancy( where applicable).
Additional landlord obligations during the tenancy include:
• Not requiring more than four weeks’ rent as bond, or more than two weeks’ rent to be paid in advance
• Ensuring that tenants in neighbouring properties they own do not disturb one another
• Reimbursing tenants for the cost of emergency repairs, provided the tenant first attempted to contact the landlord and was not responsible for the issue
• Providing at least 24 hours’ written notice( between 8am and 7pm) before entering the property for maintenance or repairs
• Gaining the tenant’ s consent and visiting at a reasonable time when showing the property for sale or viewings
• Not using force, or the threat of force, to enter or attempt to enter the property while it is occupied
• Giving at least 48 hours’ notice before conducting a routine inspection.
TENANT RESPONSIBILITIES
Before and during the tenancy, tenants must:
• Pay rent on time
• Ensure the property is occupied principally for living purposes
• Pay utility charges( e. g., power, gas, etc)
• Keep the property reasonably clean and tidy
• Report damage or maintenance needs as soon as possible
• Fix or pay for any intentional or careless damage caused by them or their visitors
• Replace expired smoke alarm batteries( where applicable) and report faults. Alarms must not be tampered with
• Pay for water usage only if separately metered and charged.
Additional tenant obligations during the tenancy include:
• Prevent any intentional damage or illegal activity
• Not use the premises, or permit the premises to be used, for any illegal purpose
• Do not disturb the neighbours
• Ensure they do not exceed the maximum number of occupants stated in the agreement
• Not change locks or make alterations without the landlord’ s permission
• Remove all personal items and rubbish when vacating
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