Top Landlord Responsibilities You Should Know
Being a landlord involves more than collecting rent. It means fulfilling obligations under state law, local regulations, and the terms spelled out in leases.
For many property owners, juggling tenant expectations with building upkeep can become a challenge. That’s where an experienced landlord-tenant attorney can step in, helping landlords meet their responsibilities and reduce the chance of costly disputes.
At Foulk Law Firm LLC, in St. Louis, Missouri, we often speak with property owners who want to rent their properties the right way. However, with many details involved in the process, they feel overwhelmed.
We have found that, in many cases, conflicts are preventable if property owners consistently follow best practices. Our attorney, Donald W. Foulk strives to guide clients through these best practices with the goal of minimizing conflict.
There are several key responsibilities that every Missouri landlord should keep in mind, whether dealing with single-family residences, condos, or multi-unit buildings. By understanding these obligations, landlords can maintain safer properties, protect themselves legally, and foster good tenant relations.
Comply With Housing Regulations
Landlords must make sure their properties meet health and safety codes established by local and state authorities. In Missouri, this means the building’s condition, utilities, and structural elements must follow the required standards.
Local code compliance: Landlords should remain updated on local housing ordinances to avoid fines or forced evictions.
Fire safety: Property owners need to install functional smoke detectors and address any fire hazards.
Pest control: Adequate measures must be taken to address infestations. A landlord-tenant attorney can advise how to handle these issues without infringing on tenant privacy.
By fulfilling these basic obligations, landlords uphold their legal commitments and foster a livable environment for residents. Should questions arise about code interpretation, seeking assistance from a landlord-tenant attorney might help avert bigger disputes.
Maintain Essential Services and Repairs
Landlords have a duty under Missouri law to keep properties habitable. This includes making prompt repairs and making sure key services remain operational.
Functioning utilities: Heat, plumbing, and electrical systems must be maintained. Landlords who fail to fix serious problems, like an inoperative furnace in winter, can face repercussions.
Basic repairs: Holes in the roof, significant leaks, or broken windows require immediate attention, as they may violate habitability standards.
Compliance with lease terms: If a lease states certain appliances or amenities will be provided, the landlord must make sure they remain in good working order.
When repairs lag or are neglected, tenants may have grounds to withhold rent or take legal action. A landlord-tenant attorney can clarify the extent of a landlord’s duty to repair and how quickly it should be addressed, reducing potential liability.
Provide a Safe Environment
Safety goes hand in hand with habitability, and landlords must exercise reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm. From maintaining proper locks to addressing security vulnerabilities, these measures can cut down on break-ins and other risks.
Door and window locks: Properties should be equipped with secure locks, and replacements must occur swiftly if locks break or keys are lost.
Exterior lighting: In high-traffic areas or parking lots, adequate lighting deters crime and avoids liability for accidents.
Premises liability: A landlord-tenant attorney might remind landlords that failing to fix known safety hazards, such as poorly lit stairs or missing railings, can expose them to lawsuits.
By keeping the premises free of hazardous conditions, owners shield themselves from legal troubles while making sure tenants can feel safer in their homes.
Respect Privacy and Provide Proper Notice
Under Missouri law, landlords have the right to enter leased property for specific reasons—like repairs or inspections—but must respect the tenant’s privacy. The lease should outline the procedures and time frames for landlord entry.
Advance notice: Give tenants reasonable notice before entering, typically at least 24 hours unless there is an emergency.
Scheduled visits: Adhering to agreed-upon times for maintenance tasks helps foster trust.
Avoid harassment: Repeated unannounced visits can breach privacy and might be seen as harassment, leading tenants to seek guidance from a landlord-tenant attorney.
When owners strike a balance between necessary property oversight and tenant privacy, the relationship between both parties tends to remain cordial.
Handle Security Deposits Properly
One of the most frequent disputes in a landlord-tenant relationship involves the security deposit. Missouri requires landlords to follow statutory guidelines to manage deposits and document any deductions.
Deposit limits: While Missouri imposes no specific limit on how much deposit can be charged, property owners should keep amounts reasonable to avoid discouraging quality tenants.
Itemized deductions: If withholding funds at move-out for repairs or unpaid rent, the landlord must provide an itemized statement within 30 days.
Timely return: Landlords who fail to return the deposit or a statement on time may face legal action and possibly attorney fees or penalties. A landlord-tenant attorney can clarify the intricacies of the deposit refund process.
These measures help assure fairness for both sides, reducing the likelihood of protracted deposit disputes after the tenancy ends.
Maintain Fair and Non-Discriminatory Practices
Fair housing laws at both the federal and state levels prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, gender, national origin, disability, and other protected categories. Missouri landlords must follow these guidelines throughout the rental process, from advertising to lease renewals.
Consistent tenant screening: Setting uniform credit checks and rental history requirements fosters fairness.
Accommodation for disabilities: Reasonable modifications or accommodations must be made when needed, such as allowing a service animal.
Avoiding retaliation: Landlords cannot penalize tenants who assert their lawful rights, such as reporting code violations.
Violations of fair housing laws can trigger significant penalties. A landlord-tenant attorney can explain how to adopt consistent, non-discriminatory policies that align with current regulations.
Comply With Written Lease Agreements
A clearly drafted lease benefits both landlords and tenants by setting boundaries for rent, due dates, maintenance duties, and more. Once signed, the lease’s terms become legally binding.
Respecting tenant rights: If the lease allows certain modifications or privileges, the landlord must honor those privileges.
Avoiding unauthorized changes: Unilateral changes to the lease without tenant consent can lead to legal complications.
Following renewal procedures: Where a lease outlines specific renewal or termination steps, ignoring them undermines the contract.
When disputes emerge, the lease often serves as the main reference. Making sure that all clauses comply with Missouri law, including limitations on late fees or other charges, can provide stability for both parties.
Follow the Proper Eviction Protocol
Eviction is a landlord’s final remedy when tenants violate the lease or fail to pay rent, but it must be done following all procedural steps outlined by Missouri law. A wrongful or hastily executed eviction can result in legal action against the landlord.
Notice requirements: Provide tenants with a formal notice specifying the basis for eviction and any opportunity to cure the violation (if applicable).
Court order necessity: An eviction typically requires a court-ordered judgment for possession; self-help methods like changing locks can be illegal.
Avoiding retaliatory actions: Evicting a tenant for complaining about health or safety issues may be viewed as retaliation.
A landlord-tenant attorney can detail each step, helping owners understand the process while protecting themselves from wrongful eviction claims.
Document All Interactions and Repairs
Detailed records help landlords defend their actions in case of disputes. When items are repaired or replaced, or if communication arises about lease violations, maintain thorough documentation.
Work orders and receipts: Keeping logs of every maintenance request and its resolution date can confirm that the landlord addresses problems promptly.
Tenant communication: Document phone calls and text exchanges about rent, property conditions, or lease renewals.
Photo or video evidence: Before-and-after visuals for repairs can dispel doubts about the property’s state if arguments arise later.
These measures not only demonstrate good faith but also serve as evidence if a disagreement evolves into litigation. A landlord-tenant attorney might advise on best practices for storing and organizing these records to help with easy retrieval.
Keep Up With Changes in the Law
Missouri legislation and local ordinances on rental properties can change over time. Landlords who fail to keep current with these updates risk violating new rules unintentionally.
Regular legal reviews: Consulting a landlord-tenant attorney periodically makes sure that standard leases, deposit handling, and other practices comply with shifts in local statutes.
Staying aware of local regulations: Some cities or counties within Missouri might have stricter standards for security deposits, inspections, or tenant rights.
Adapting to technology: If tenants pay rent online or use digital records for maintenance requests, make sure these new methods still meet legal requirements for record-keeping.
Being proactive about following legislative changes helps landlords avoid penalties and fosters professionalism in managing rental properties.
Contact Us
At Foulk Law Firm LLC, we guide property owners through landlord responsibilities under Missouri law, from lease drafting to deposit returns and beyond. Adhering to these obligations prevents disputes and supports a safe, respectful environment for tenants. If you live in or near St. Louis, St. Charles, and Jefferson County, call us today.