Questions for Landlords

We just signed a lease for a new house rental and with all the paperwork and questions that the whole family had, I forgot to ask him some questions...

The most important questions were about child safety items.. I need to install a gate at the top of the stairs and the bottom. They need to be screwed in. Would that bother you as a landlord?

Also we have a deck and I would like to put a gate on the stairs to it.. Would that be a problem?

Window bars on the 2nd floor need to be installed. Are we responsible to do that or is that up to the landlord?

The landlord is out of town right now and I just would like to see if any landlords on here could answer these questions...


And a couple of non-child questions... Is it pretty normal for a landlord to not cover the dishwasher, washer, and dryer if something happens to them? It has come up a lot in some of the rentals we have looked at... We are responsible to fix them or replace them!

Re: Questions for Landlords

I think it depends on what your lease says. Speaking as a landlord and a mom - someone posted this not long ago on FHF and I think #28 might work for you.





Parenting Tips

Re: Questions for Landlords

as a landlord it would not bother me at all. i want to know that my tenants are safe and happy because i never want them to leave lol!

but unfortunately not all landlords are the same. check your lease before you talk to them. but im sure it should be no problem. they may have you buy the items and they will have it installed.

Questions for Landlords

I am a landlord and I am in charge of maintaining everything in the unit - I have fix the washing machine and dishwasher if a problem.

but that is our lease is written and every unit I rented with laundry or dishwasher was the same

it is to my benefit because a tenant does not have a real reason to make sure something is fixed properly - it is similar to why a lot of car lease companies include maintenance (oil changes, filters) in cost of lease and perform the services because most people of a lease of no real need to maintain a car perfectly

Message edited 5/8/2013 10:14:45 AM.

Re: Questions for Landlords

I would not have a problem with you installing the gates but you might lose some of your security deposit at the end of the lease because the landlord will have to repair the holes in the wall.

We take care of all appliance issues.

Not sure about the window guards. Instead of putting bars on the windows I think there is something that you can put on the window to prevent it from opening past a certain point. Like a window lock.

Re: Questions for Landlords

Questions for Landlords

The gates are probably not an issue but you might be charged for the holes they leave just like any other wall damage charge.

Appliances I would think would be by LL but your lease should say.

Window guards are a thing that is not usually on private homes. i have only seen them in building and I know they are required in certain towns/cities.

Re: Questions for Landlords

I checked with the current tenant today and he said it wouldn't be a problem. They were allowed to hang up tons of pictures and mount a tv on the wall and he got his security deposit back.. I will plug up the holes and spackle them. The one at the top of the stairs I have to mount on a banister but I have a special piece for that so I don't have to damage the wood..