Atlanta Property Managers Guide to Risk Management & Habitability

 

Professional Atlanta Property Managers take time to educate themselves with definitions of "Habitability" and how it applies to Georgia Tenant Laws. I wanted to take a little bit of time to share some of that information with landlords and investors who may have not paid as much attention to "habitability" as they should. What is habitability and why is it so important? Essentially, it is anything that endangers the livability of the property and the health and welfare of the tenants. Many common issues are lack of heat, running water, major roof leaks, unsafe electrical, carpeting, stairways, or sidewalks, etc. 

When renting a property to others, whether a house, an apartment building, a condominium, etc., it is under the assumption that it complies with an “implied warranty of habitability.” Simply put, this means that the property you are renting is structurally safe for human habitation. An owner must prove basic criteria for “implied warranty of habitability.”

▪     The property is to be structurally sound, meaning it does not contain pest problems, holes in the walls, ceilings, or floors, and is safe for occupancy. A home that has any of these problems, or that does not provide adequate protection from the elements, is not considered fit for occupancy.

▪     Known hazards or problems within the dwelling that might make it unsafe for tenants, such as asbestos insulation, lead paint, carbon monoxide leaks, or problematic plumbing. When renting a property, the owner implies that there are no hazardous aspects to the dwelling. 

▪     It is necessary to provide a working bathroom. Therefore, properly working bathroom fixtures, such as a sink, toilet, and bathtub or shower, must be usable for it to be fit for occupancy. 

▪     A consistently recurring problem may not fit the implied warranty of habitability. For example, if there is a problem with lack of heat, this is a breach of the implied warranty of habitability. 

If a problem exists and the property owner does not provide the maintenance required to solve the problem, it can lead to a lawsuit filed for “breach of implied warranty of habitability” and is subject to the collection of punitive damages. The court has a very dim view of property owners that ignore the safety of their tenants. The court puts the burden of proof on the owner, not the tenant. 

Over the years, courts have made many habitability rulings based on the Georgia Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, the URLTA. When faced with a difficult case between Landlord and Tenant, a judge will often consult the many points of this Act before rendering a decision. A number of states have based their statutory law on this act or the Model Residential Landlord-Tenant Code. Interpretations can vary with different judges and in different states. In addition, states will often model their legislation on rulings based on those of another state. Many people are unaware of the existence of these acts and their impact on tenant relations.

Landlord-tenant law in the United States originated from English common law developed within an agricultural society. The URLTA stems from this. The basic purposes of the act were to:

• ▪     Simplify, clarify, modernize, and revise the laws governing the rental of dwelling units and the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants
• ▪     Encourage landlords and tenants to maintain and improve the quality of housing
• ▪     Make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this Act among those states that enact it
• ▪     There are many specific definitions included such as good faith, building, and housing codes, dwelling unit, landlord, owner, person, premises, rent, rental agreement, single-family residence, tenant, etc.

Unfortunately, there are many cases where landlords have ignored maintenance concerning “habitability.” These actions have led to major court decisions. This in turn has produced more Fair Housing laws, lead based paint requirements, mold legislation, and more, all of which have a far-reaching impact on investment property.

As your Atlanta property management company, we have the expertise to handle these important issues. We make habitability a primary concern to protect your investment and to comply with Georgia Habitability Laws.

Marina Shlomov, a managing partner at ALH|Podland Realty & Rental Homes Property Management is the author of many articles on Landlording, Atlanta Property Management, and Real Estate Investing. A residential builder in the state of Georgia since 1999, Marina is an investor herself. Her Atlanta property management company is intended “For Investors” and “By Investors” for a simple reason – she knows what investors’ goals are and she works hard to reach their goals. In her spare time, Marina likes to spend time with her family, friends, garden, read and travel. Check her out at www.alhpodland.com. You can find Marina’s articles and comments at @rentalhomesatl on Twitter, on Facebook, Google+, Blogger and YouTube, Bigger Pockets and REI CLub, ActiveRain and LinkedIn.