Most landlords aren’t going to care whether your furniture matches or whether you’ve chosen the right throw pillows for the sofa. What catches their attention are signs that the property isn’t being cared for, especially problems that could turn into expensive repairs.
Normal wear and tear comes with renting. A scuffed wall or slightly worn carpet isn’t the same as serious damage or neglect. Leaks, pests, mold, broken fixtures, and unsafe conditions are another matter.
Some problems may also be the result of an issue with the property itself, so reporting them early can save everyone trouble later. Here are 15 things landlords don’t like discovering during a visit or inspection.
1. Unidentified Stains, Residue, or Mystery Messes
Sticky countertops, grease-covered surfaces, mysterious stains, and layers of residue can be difficult to remove. Some may require specialized cleaning before the property is ready for the next tenant.
A little mess is part of everyday living, but months of buildup can become a much bigger cleaning job. In some cases, cleaning costs may also be taken from a security deposit, depending on the lease and local law.
2. Mold Growing on Walls or Ceilings
Mold can be a warning sign that something else is going on. A leak, condensation, poor ventilation, or excess moisture may be feeding the growth.
A landlord who spots mold will likely want to know why it’s there and how long it has been present. That’s one reason tenants should report leaks and moisture problems instead of trying to hide them.
Related: 6 Effective Ways to Clean Mold from Shower Caulk and Grout
3. Pest Infestations
Ants, cockroaches, mice, flies, and other pests can quickly become more than a nuisance.
An infestation in one unit can sometimes spread to neighboring apartments, creating complaints and extermination costs. Food left uncovered, overflowing garbage, and other conditions can make pest problems worse.
If you notice signs of pests, report them rather than waiting for the problem to disappear on its own.
4. Overflowing Trash and Food Waste
Garbage that sits around for too long can create bad smells and attract insects and rodents. Food scraps can make the problem even worse.
A landlord may see overflowing trash as a housekeeping issue, but it can become a sanitation concern if it’s allowed to continue. Regularly taking out garbage is a small chore that can prevent a much bigger problem.
5. Water Stains on Ceilings or Walls
A brown or yellow spot on the ceiling shouldn’t be ignored. It could point to a roof leak, plumbing problem, condensation, or water damage inside the wall.
Even if the stain seems small, tell the landlord about it. Catching a leak early can save the property from much more serious damage.
6. Sagging Ceilings
A sagging section of ceiling is a much more serious warning sign than a cosmetic blemish. It can be caused by accumulated water, damaged materials, or another structural problem.
A landlord who sees a sagging ceiling will want the cause investigated quickly. If you’ve noticed the ceiling changing shape, don’t wait for an inspection to mention it.
7. Dripping Faucets and Running Toilets
That constant drip or toilet that never seems to stop may seem harmless, but wasted water adds up.
A running toilet can waste a surprising amount of water, while a persistent leak can eventually damage cabinets, flooring, walls, or other parts of the property. Reporting these problems early gives the landlord a chance to fix them before they become more expensive.
Related: Surprising Facts About Toilet Paper Most People Never Learn
8. Blocked or Slow Drains
Slow drains often start as a minor annoyance. Hair, grease, food scraps, and other debris can gradually build up until water barely moves.
A serious blockage may require a plumber, and the tenant may be responsible for the cost if the blockage resulted from misuse or neglect. Keeping grease and food out of drains and using drain covers can help prevent many common clogs.
9. Space Heaters
Portable space heaters can make landlords nervous because of the fire risk associated with improper use.
A heater placed next to curtains, bedding, furniture, or other combustible materials can be dangerous. So can using an unsuitable extension cord or leaving the heater running unattended.
If you use one, follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions and any rules in your lease.
10. Dirty or Neglected Refrigerators
A refrigerator full of spoiled food, old spills, and grime can leave behind unpleasant smells and attract pests.
It can also make move-out cleaning much harder. Wiping up spills as they happen and clearing out old food regularly takes only a few minutes and keeps the appliance in better condition.
11. Strong Pet Odors
Pets aren’t automatically a problem, but lingering smells and damage can be.
Urine stains, heavily soiled carpets, overflowing litter boxes, and persistent pet odors can be difficult to remove. Depending on the damage and the terms of the lease, professional cleaning or repairs could become the tenant’s responsibility.
Related: Keep The Pet, Not The Odor: 20 Ways To Reduce Pet Smells In Your House
12. Indoor Smoking Damage
Cigarette and other smoke odors can settle into carpets, walls, ceilings, curtains, and ventilation systems.
Getting rid of the smell may require much more than opening a window. Deep cleaning, repainting, sealing surfaces, or replacing flooring and window coverings may be necessary in severe cases.
If the rental has a no-smoking policy, violating it can also create additional problems at move-out.
13. Broken Cabinets, Doors, or Fixtures
Normal use will eventually leave some marks on a rental. Broken cabinet doors, cracked fixtures, damaged countertops, missing hardware, and similar problems go beyond ordinary wear in many cases.
The sooner damage is reported, the better. A loose hinge or small plumbing leak can often be fixed before it turns into a much larger repair.
14. Large Holes or Unauthorized Installations
Hanging a picture is one thing. Drilling large holes into walls, ceilings, floors, or cabinets is another.
Television mounts, shelving systems, ceiling fixtures, and other installations may require the landlord’s approval. Even if the installation looks great, removing it later could leave substantial holes or other damage.
Check the lease before making permanent changes to the property.
15. Signs of Neglect
Sometimes it’s the overall condition of a rental that raises concerns. Piles of garbage, neglected spills, damaged flooring, broken fixtures, or problems that have clearly been left unattended can signal that routine maintenance isn’t happening.
Landlords don’t expect a rental to look like a showroom. People live in these homes, and everyday mess is normal. What worries them is damage or maintenance problems that are repeatedly ignored.
Report Problems Before They Get Worse
Many rental problems are easier and cheaper to fix when they’re caught early. A small leak can become water damage, a slow drain can become a blockage, and a minor pest problem can spread.
If something breaks or you notice a condition that could damage the property, let the landlord know. Keeping a written record of maintenance requests can also be helpful.
Taking reasonable care of a rental doesn’t mean keeping it spotless every minute. It means dealing with problems before they have a chance to become much bigger ones.
