Is landlord responsible for gutter cleaning?

It's the homeowner's job. Similarly, a homeowner must also keep gutters clean, as gutters are part of the roofing system.

Is landlord responsible for gutter cleaning?

It's the homeowner's job. Similarly, a homeowner must also keep gutters clean, as gutters are part of the roofing system. Many landlords don't want the responsibility of sending a tenant up a ladder to take care of the dangerous task of cleaning gutters. The tenant is responsible for the general condition and appearance of the house and property.

Tenants are responsible for the daily tasks necessary to keep the home safe, clean and livable. They are also responsible for any harm suffered by family members living in the house, family pets, or someone who is visiting. If there is no mention of whose responsibility it is to clean the gutters in the house, then it is the responsibility of the landlord. If the lease agreement says that it is the tenant's obligation to remove the sheets, then it's theirs.

If you say it's the landlord's, then it's his or hers. The lease must stipulate who is responsible for cleaning the gutters. When gutter cleaning is not mentioned in the lease, the landlord is usually responsible. Since gutter cleaning requires climbing to the roof (liability) and is part of the overall structure (not the tenant's conduct), most lawyers would place the liability on the landlord.

If a lease does stipulate that the tenant is responsible, it must also require the tenant to hire a professional gutter cleaner with the correct license and insurance. That's why it's important that the determination of who should clean the gutters be made before both parties sign a lease. You may be able to negotiate some terms that are good for you, such as cleaning the gutters to reduce that month's rent. Otherwise, the general rule is that gutter cleaning should be done once every 12 months, better - in late autumn, when nearby trees have already lost their leaves.

If gutter cleaning is not specifically described in the agreement, the tenant can ask for clarification of the problem and reach an agreement that is acceptable to both the landlord and the tenant. It is too easy to forget or postpone the provision for a routine check and cleaning of gutters and downspouts. So one could argue that tenants should also keep gutters clean, but my counterargument is that no one EVER pays attention to gutters. It's also a smart financial option, as the system will pay for itself, as it can skip gutter cleaning sessions (and can avoid costly liability issues).

And to confirm the above, the RTA (the Residential Leasing Authority) clearly stipulates who is actually responsible for cleaning gutters in a rental property, as well as some exceptions to the rule. If you tell the landlord it's time to clean the gutters and he refuses to do so, you may need to see what state law says about tenant and landlord responsibilities. How often gutters and downspouts are cleaned depends on the location of the property and its surroundings. On the other hand, many property managers believe that unless the structure is a multi-unit complex (such as a duplex or apartment building), people living in the home should keep gutters clean.

Just like in my other post on plumbing issues, I will try to answer the question of who is responsible for cleaning gutters. Although tenants have a responsibility to keep the rented property in good condition, take care of the garden and address minor repair issues, cleaning and maintaining gutters is often a landlord's obligation. Therefore, regular gutter cleaning ensures that fallen leaves and twigs, tree flowers, and sometimes insect, rodent and bird nests and debris, are removed in time and long before major blockages occur. .

Brianna Reichenbach
Brianna Reichenbach

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