are there clear guidelines re: tenant vs landlord responsibility? is it appropriate that i am being asked to:?

Question

1. mow the very large lawn
2. shovel the snow
3. call for my own recycling bin
4. let the painter/electrician in once a week for the next few weeks b/c the renovations were not completed by the time they requested we move in (we wanted to move in 2 weeks later)
5. deal with the basement which smells like cat spray and has crumbling cement walls

p.s. our landlords are actually quite nice, and the place is too. but they just bought the place, and i think they are somewhat new to being landlords. is all this stuff just stuff i deal with because i am here for at least 1 year?

Answer 1

All states have landlord tenant laws. I do not know what state you are in but generally speaking, your contract controls who is responsible for what.
If the contract is silent on all the above, then 1, 2, 3 and 4 are NEGOTIABLE. Look at your rent and think if its worth it. If not, you must either not move in or or ask for a reduce rate to cover the cost/inconvience of 1, 2,3 and 4. Usually, the cost of maintenance is built in the price of the rent.
#5 is also negotiable. You probably have the right to be reimburse by your land lord for any costs of repair under the landlord tenant act provided you did not cause it. They must repair it or if you do, they must repay your costs.

Make sure it is legal to deduct your rent to get your money back if you incur any cost of repair.

Answer 2

Except for #5 on your list, the others are probably appropriate. Snow shoveling and lawn mowing are subject to agreeement between tenant and landlord - if they have to pay someone to come in and do it, your rent would probably be a lot higher. Trash collection, along with other utilities, is typically taken care of by the tenant.

The crumbling cement walls, though, is structural, and would be the landlord's responsibility.

Answer 3

every state is different and there are guidelines which probably differ from state to state,
hopefully there was a contract established where everything the tenants and landlord responsibilities where written down.
maybe they can knock some of the rent off for some of the inconviniences

Answer 4

First & ultimate, this is the accountability of the two events to make certain that the development in question is in nice condition to stay for the finished length of the lease. to initiate with, if the owner has given you the domicile in stable situations wherein each thing develop into working in tip appropriate project, then it is your accountability to make certain which you take care of it in tip appropriate project. If there have been plumbing subject concerns in the previous you moved in or you found out with regards to the plumbing subject concerns at cutting-edge once you moved in, then the owner is liable to provide you the de-clogging and pay for the expenses. in case you have lived interior the domicile for a protracted at the same time as without subject concerns and now you have plumbing subject concerns, than there's a threat which you will have reason the subject concerns from the style you have use the utility, as such it is your accountability to pay for the wear and tear. at the same time as the owner delivers you with the fundamentals, it is your primary jobs to make certain which you hold each thing interior the domicile in stable situations. different than for placed on and tear, the tenant frequently are primary jobs for any harm to the valuables and its utilities.

Answer 5

If it's in the lease you signed, yes, you do.