A landlord's duties – what do you need to know? Find out!

Renting out property is a popular form of investment and a way to earn extra income. Remember, however, that it involves not only rights but also duties that must be observed. In this article you will learn what kind of responsibility rests on the shoulders of the person who lets out a residential unit.

What are the landlord's basic duties?

To ensure a smooth and lawful transaction, the landlord must fulfil certain obligations. These are important for maintaining clarity, fairness and good cooperation between the parties to the agreement. Below we present the basic duties that rest on the landlord.

1. The landlord must hand over to the tenant a unit free of defects and faults that prevent or hinder its use for its intended purpose.
2. During the tenancy it is the landlord who is responsible for keeping the unit in proper technical and sanitary condition. This includes, among other things, fixing faults and breakdowns, repairing the wiring and plumbing, and ensuring access to utilities such as water, electricity and heating.
3. The landlord has no right to enter the unit on their own initiative without the tenant's consent. They may do so only in justified cases, such as the need to carry out a repair.
4. Depending on the provisions of the tenancy agreement, the landlord may also have the duty to carry out major renovations.

Additional duties of the landlord

A landlord must draw up a written tenancy agreement that clearly sets out its terms, such as the amount of rent, payment dates, the rights and obligations of the parties and other important matters. This document is the point of reference for both parties in the event of any disputes or ambiguities. The landlord is also obliged to pay tax on rental income. In addition, as the person letting the unit, they may be liable for damage caused by the tenant in the unit if they failed to fulfil their duties, e.g. did not carry out necessary repairs. Before the tenancy begins, the water, electricity and gas meter readings should be recorded. This will help avoid misunderstandings in the future over settling utility bills. It is worth documenting the recorded meter readings in a handover protocol signed by both parties to the agreement.

Summary

Renting out a property involves a number of duties on the landlord's side. Knowing them is extremely important in order to avoid conflicts with the tenant and legal problems. Do you have a flat you want to let? Do you need the support of a specialist in the search for a tenant? As an experienced estate agent in Katowice I am happy to help at every stage of the letting process. Contact me today to find out more about my services!