Looking after Your Rented Property
Most apartments renters very seldom carry a clear picture of what their obligations or what their rights are, under their rental agreements. The reason for this is that they have not properly gone through their contract papers that can provide all the answers to their questions.
Going through the entire contract in detail is an absolute necessity so as not to leave room for any acts of omission or commission by either party. In any case, no harm could come your way by treating the rented apartment too as one of your own with the necessary care and interest that it deserves.
Treat as if the Property were your own.
What is meant here is not that you should spend lavishly on it notwithstanding whether the item of work involved falls within your ambit or that of the leasing agent, but simply to care enough for it to preserve and protect it from any harm as if it were one of your assets and never to take an indifferent stand with regard to its proper maintenance or repairs, simply because it does not belong to you.
By reading the contract properly, you could ascertain whose responsibility any particular item of work involved is, and discharge your responsibility by either attending to it yourself or politely sounding the leasing agent; depending on the nature of work and in keeping with the provisions of the rental contract.
Suffice it to state here that generally what falls on the renter or tenant are replacement of worn out and defunct electrical and plumbing items of low cost such as electric bulbs and switches, plug tops and wasted water taps etc., while all major repairs, renovations and modifications are the duty of the landlord. Sometimes the landlord may approve some modifications you need to be attended to by you at your cost, but under his supervision to ensure that nothing untoward happens beyond what is approved.
Get the Help of the Property Administrator when Required
Since most of the work of a major nature generally falls within the obligations of the apartment administrator, his support should be sought when maintenance or repair works of a major nature are required, such as unclogging blocked drains, painting, modifying the existing electrical or plumbing system etc.
The same may be done with regard to the installation of new appliances at new locations and in replacement of some high cost old design items such as fixing of water geysers, fans, air conditioners, chandeliers, commodes and other toilet fittings, tiling of walls and floors, or installation of pantry cupboards etc. Since you will be the immediate user of any new installations or modification, it would be in your interest to discuss with the apartment administrator your special preferences prior to the commencement of work.
If the Apartment Administrator Does Not Act
Not only you as the renter, but many others concerned are going to be in a lot of discomfort if the apartment administrator or whoever is in charge of maintenance work on the apartment (or apartments if it happens to be a complex) does not act promptly on complaints, or at least respond positively.
In such circumstances you will be compelled to bring it to the notice of higher authorities beginning with a superior officer of his (if there is one; or the property owner himself) or take matters to some independent Body in your area that looks into such complaints with a view to enforcing the provisions of your apartment renting contract.
If this type of problem persists, you may consider joining some Association like an Apartment Renters’ Welfare Association, if there is one within the complex or in your area to represent grievances to the relevant parties with adequate force and strength of numbers. If not, you may seriously consider pioneering to form one with your fellow renters in other apartments nearby.