Property Owner Responsibilities
- Owner will need to have house cleaned, to include shampooing of carpets, prior to house being shown to lease and between tenants. Once a tenant moves out, $100 is withheld from the security deposit to help differ the expense, but the remaining cost of cleaning will be the Owner’s responsibility. Wallace & Wallace, Inc. can handle the logistics of the cleaning and bill the Owner.
- Owner will be responsible for carrying fire protection on the house. If the house is within the Knoxville City limits, fire protection should be provided by the City of Knoxville.
- Owner will be responsible for carrying homeowner’s insurance on the property. Owner is not responsible for covering the tenant’s personal belongings or contents. Under the Full Management option, the Owner will need to add Wallace & Wallace, Inc., its employees and assigns as an additionally insured to the insurance policy.
- Owner will be responsible to contract with utilities companies to have service provided during any vacancy of the property. Owner will be responsible for the utility bills during vacancies. Electricity and gas if heating system is gas, is required to be working during any vacancy of the property. Properties without working electricity will not be able to be shown for lease
- Wallace & Wallace recommends the Owner provide a working refrigerator in the kitchen of the property.
- Owner is responsible for keeping any kitchen appliances such as stove, refrigerator, microwave, disposal, and dishwasher if provided in working order. This will also apply to all systems such as heat and air, plumbing, wiring, etc. Wallace & Wallace, Inc. can arrange for the replacement, maintenance or repair under the Full Management option, with the understanding that any expense will be covered by the owner.
- Wallace & Wallace, Inc. can require the tenant to mow the lawn, but fertilizing, mulching and other major landscaping requirements will be the responsibility of the Owner. Wallace & Wallace, Inc. can arrange for any additional landscaping needs not required of the tenant when the expense is covered by the Owner.
- In a property with a wood-burning fireplace, it will be the Owner’s responsibility to keep the fireplace in safe working order. This will include having the chimney cleaned as needed. Under the Full Management option, at the Owner’s request, Wallace & Wallace, Inc. can arrange for the chimney to be cleaned, etc., with payment by the Owner.
- Gutter and downspout cleaning is an Owner’s responsibility. Under the Full Management option, Wallace & Wallace, Inc. can arrange for these services with payment by the Owner.
- Downed trees / tree limbs and their removal are the responsibility of the Owner. Under the Full Management option, Wallace & Wallace, Inc. can arrange for these services with payment by the Owner.
- General maintenance of the property, such as occasional power washing of decks, walkways, siding, porches, etc as needed is the responsibility of the Owner. Under the Full Management option, Wallace & Wallace, Inc. can arrange for these services with payment by the Owner.
- Any maintenance or service provided by Wallace & Wallace, Inc. for the Owner will require the Owner provide money to cover the estimated cost of the expense prior to the service being completed. The funds will be held in a reserve account for the Owner to be disbursed at the time the expense is billed. The Maintenance Manager will be able to provide estimates of the cost prior to approval by the Owner of any work done.
- Upon the move out of a tenant, under the Full Management option, a complete inspection of the property will be completed by Wallace & Wallace, Inc. Any damage noted as above ‘normal wear and tear” and caused by negligence or abuse will be charged back to the tenant and deducted from their security deposit before any refund. Please note, “normal wear and tear” is to be expected and will not be charged to the tenant.