Renting in Louisville? Here's everything your landlord is responsible for
Code violations can arise when landlords don't properly maintain rental units.
But renters are also responsible for upkeep of their homes.
To help understand each party's responsibilities, we've compiled a list of tenant and owner obligations, as outlined by Louisville's Department of Codes and Regulations.
Additional responsibilities may be spelled out in a renter's lease.
Find the city's full property maintenance code here.
And if you have an issue with your unit, you can submit a concern through the city's online portal.
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Interior
Bathroom
Property owners must provide:
Bathroom privacy
A flush toilet
A bathroom tub or shower
Adequate bathroom light and ventilation
Flooring that's impervious to water damage
Renters are responsible for cleaning the bathroom and its equipment.
Kitchen
Property owners must provide:
A kitchen sink with hot and cold water
A stove or space and connections for installation
A refrigerator or space and connections for installation
Cabinets and/or shelves for the storage of dishes, utensils and food
Flooring that's impervious to water damage
Renters are responsible for cleaning the kitchen, including the stove, refrigerator and all other appliances.
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Electricity
Property owners must provide:
Approved electrical systems capable of supplying safe and adequate electrical service to the property
At least two separate receptacle outlets in all habitable spaces
Wiring that is insulated properly and in safe condition
Renters should check for these common electrical violations:
Makeshift or temporary wiring
Electric cords under rugs or other floor coverings
Frayed or bare wires
Cords placed through walls or doorways
Hanging cords or wires
Excess or faulty fuses
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Light and ventilation
Property owners must provide:
Adequate ventilation in every room
At least one window that can be easily opened directly to the outdoors in every room
A ceiling light fixture in every bathroom, basement, public hallway or other area where artificial light is necessary for the safety and welfare of the occupants
Property owners and renters are required to make sure windows are not broken or boarded. Broken windows and missing inoperable light bulbs are violations of the city's structures code.
Heat
Property owners are responsible for providing and maintaining sufficient and safe heating facilities.
Renters are responsible for maintaining all heating equipment in a safe and clean condition and keeping the area free of flammable materials.
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Water
Property owners must provide:
Hot and cold running water
Plumbing equipment connected to city water and approved sewer systems
A water heater that's properly installed, vented and in a safe location
Fire safety
Property owners must provide:
Working smoke detectors
Safe exits leading directly to open space at ground level. Exit ways must not pass from one unit through another
Renters must:
Keep all hallways, stairways, fire escapes and exits clear of storage and garbage at all times
Check smoke detectors periodically to ensure batteries are installed and the device is operating properly
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Cleanliness
Property owners are required to keep shared or public areas clean.
Property owners and renters are required to keep their individual premises clean and free of insects, rodents and other pests.
Exterior
Illegally parked or stored vehicles
Property owners and renters:
Are allowed to park vehicles in the front or side yard on a hard surface or approved semi-pervious surface that leads to a garage, carport, house or rear yard
Are not allowed to park vehicles on dirt or grass or in vacant lots
Are not allowed to park or store any inoperable or unlicensed vehicles outside of a garage or carport
Are not allowed to have vehicles in a state of major disassembly, disrepair or in the process of being stripped or dismantled
Are not allowed to paint vehicles unless conducted inside an approved spray booth
Are not allowed to park heavy trucks in residential areas
Yard
Property owners must keep shared or public areas clean and free from safety, health and fire hazards.
Property owners and renters of single-family rentals are required to keep their yards clean and free from safety, health and fire hazards. All premises should be free of weeds or plant growth above 10 inches in height. Grass should be kept cut and bushes trimmed. Trees should be trimmed and kept away from houses and power lines, and all dead wood should be removed.
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Structure
Roof/chimney
Rafters cannot be rotten, broken or sagging
Roof coverings cannot have holes, leaks or deterioration
Chimneys and fireplaces cannot be leaning, bulging or settling
Foundations/floors
Foundation walls cannot be deteriorated, cracked or structurally inadequate
Sills and joists cannot be rotted, broken or sagging
Floor must be reasonably level, smooth, weather tight and free of holes, loose boards, excessive cracks or rotted or worn-through sections
Stairs/protective railings
Stairs must be structurally safe with no excessive wear, warping, holes or cracks
Handrails must be structurally safe and firmly fastened
Damage caused either intentionally or through neglect on the part of the renter may be their responsibility.
Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at bloosemore@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4646 or on Twitter @bloosemore. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: https://www.courier-journal.com/baileyl.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Rental maintenance in Louisville: What are landlord responsibilities?
