Portland Rental Homes

Tenant Safety: What is a Property Manager’s Responsibility?

tenant safety

As landlords, it’s natural to put a lot of thought into making your rental as appealing to prospective tenants as possible. After all, attracting the best tenants is the foundation of your business and the surest way to avoid extended vacancies. However, a property manager’s responsibility for tenant safety is even more critical for maintaining a successful long-term rental business. 

But what aspects of a rental’s safety are your responsibility compared to your tenants’? And in what cases could you be legally responsible for any harm to a person on your property? 

What Legal Responsibilities Do Property Managers Have for Tenant Safety?

The duty of keeping a rental safe and well-maintained falls to a property manager. A person may have cause to sue for civil penalties if they believe the property owner’s negligence caused them harm—even if they’re not the resident. In those cases, a judge will determine whether any party acted unreasonably to cause or contribute to the plaintiff’s injury. As the property manager, you may face serious legal trouble and fines if a jury finds that you deferred crucial repairs or did not keep a building up to code. The three most common safety issues for rental properties are slips and falls, physical attacks, and fires. 

The key takeaway is that if there’s anything you could have done to prevent an injury on your property, a judge may find you liable for that injury. As a result, it’s best to take proactive steps to ensure you maintain stringent safety standards on all your properties. 

Accident Prevention

Accidents are one of the most common safety issues reported on rental properties. Unfortunately, there are many ways a person could slip and fall, and accounting for them all is challenging. However, a few hazardous areas are a great place to start:

Crime Prevention

With murders in Portland reaching record levels in 2021 and 2022, it’s clear why crime is of great concern to local renters and landlords alike. Burglary, vandalism, and other nonviolent issues can also significantly impact a property and drive residents away. Summertime is the peak for theft and other offenses, as criminals target rentals whose residents are on vacation. But there’s plenty that you as a property owner can do to keep your tenants safe year-round:

Fire Safety

A fire can start in any room at any time. Electrical wiring, a faulty appliance, a forgotten candle, or a neglected oven can quickly escalate into a blaze that destroys entire homes and puts lives at risk. That’s part of why fire safety is one of the most essential components of a landlord’s responsibilities.

Disaster Preparedness

Compared to other safety issues, the danger presented by a large-scale disaster is far less likely on a day-to-day basis. However, there’s no telling when a severe event could affect your rental and its residents. Consider making a plan for the following situations to keep your tenants safe:

Property Managers, Don’t Let Safety Responsibilities Slide

Understanding your safety duties is critical to maintaining a property, avoiding serious fines, and keeping your tenants safe in their homes. By staying actively engaged with your renters’ safety through regular inspections and top-notch tenant communication, you ensure the time they spend renting from you is enjoyable and safe. But if you’re concerned about staying on top of a growing list of repairs or struggle to keep in touch with your tenants, working with a property management company can give you the best of both worlds. 

Rent Portland Homes by Darla Andrew is dedicated to putting tenant safety first. We’ll keep your rental in excellent repair and handle all repair requests in a 48-hour window. With our help, you can enjoy the benefits of a professionally managed rental without the stress of doing it yourself. For more information, reach out any time.

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