Madison management explains a commercial property landlord’s responsibilities after leasing property

Author: John Daniel

The profitability of a commercial property demands steadfast management by the property owner. Undoubtedly, it is the responsibility of the landlord to maintain the property so that it can attract the perfect tenant. After the property is leased by a tenant, the responsibility of maintaining the property is transferred to the tenant. However, the responsibilities of the property owner do not end here.

Although the landlord enjoys the upper hand when it comes to laying down the conditions of the lease, the responsibility of maintaining the property is usually divided between the landlord and the tenant through negotiation between the parties. The responsibilities can also be delegated to property management services like Madison management for efficiency.

Here are the four major responsibilities of the landlord after tenant occupancy.

1. Maintenance of health and safety codes

Most leases are signed with assurances by the landlord regarding healthy and safe infrastructure within the property premise. This is why it is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that all these standards are met. It includes the maintenance of a drainage and sewage system and well-designed ventilation and exhaust-release system among others. The landlord is sometimes also required to take adequate measures for controlling pest infestations and other disease inducing health hazards on the premises.

2. Maintenance of security standards

Leases generally encompass conditions which require adequate maintenance of security standards by the landlord. The landlord is expected to update the security measures of the property and protect tenants from property theft, fire risks and natural disasters. Although, managing the primary security of the property is also the duty of the tenants, any negligence on the part of the landlord is not to be taken lightly.

3. Maintenance of a common area

The maintenance of the common area of a property is usually a shared responsibility between the property owner and the tenants. However, the landlord is required to conduct regular inspection of any damage in the common areas and needs to pay a proportionate share of the maintenance charges or as stipulated within the lease agreement. The hiring of a property management service like Madison property management is always a good idea to coordinate the maintenance of common area.

4. Payment of taxes of property under self-title

A responsibility no landlord can shy away from is the payment of taxes for the property under his or her title. This is of course a vital responsibility. However, busy property owners can transfer the management of property taxes to property maintenance firms like Madison management services.