While your lease outlines specific responsibilities in detail, we wanted to share a little refresher on a few areas that tend to feel new for tenants possibly transitioning from an apartment setting.
Yard & Exterior Maintenance 🌱
Unlike most apartments, many single-family homes require regular yard and exterior upkeep. This may include mowing and watering the lawn, trimming shrubs and bushes, keeping planting beds weed-free, and clearing leaves, debris, and fire ants.
That said, landscaping responsibilities vary by property. In some cases, the owner or an HOA manages landscaping. Please be sure to review your lease to confirm who is responsible for yard maintenance at your home.
Routine Home Care 🔧
Single-family homes can involve a bit more hands-on care than apartment living. All tenants in apartments/condos with us as well as single-family homes, are responsible for routine items such as:
- Replacing HVAC filters when provided
- Changing light bulbs and smoke/carbon monoxide detector batteries
- Resetting tripped breakers or GFCI outlets
- Reporting leaks, system issues, or damage promptly
For single-family homes, these items may just be a little more hands-on and the locations of these routine items may not be so out in the open. For some maintenance requests, our team may provide quick troubleshooting steps to try before sending a vendor, especially for common issues like garbage disposals not running or slow/clogged sinks. You might be surprised: about 90% of the time, these simple steps resolve the issue without needing a service call.
Pest Control 🐜
If you’re new to the Upstate, welcome to the ongoing battle against the creepy crawlies. Because single-family homes have more exterior exposure, pests are a common reality here. 🕷️🪳
We highly recommend spraying the exterior of the home at least twice per year, especially in the spring and fall when activity is at its peak. Staying proactive can make a big difference in keeping unwanted visitors outside where they belong.
Weather Awareness ☔️
In a single-family home, tenants are the first line of defense when it comes to weather-related issues.
It’s important to know where your water, gas, and electrical shutoffs are located and how to access them if needed. Unlike apartment communities, there is not any on-site, 24/7 maintenance staff. In some situations, you may need to wait until the following morning, or during extreme weather, until roads are safe, for vendors to respond.
Prompt communication and taking reasonable steps to protect the home can help prevent bigger issues.
Communication Matters 📣
All maintenance requests must be submitted through PropertyMeld, and keeping your contact information up to date ensures we can reach you quickly when needed.
