It's the Renter's Responsibility Just like mowing lawns and trimming hedges, part of regular maintenance involves cleaning gutters. And now, let's get back to our main topic. Although tenants have a responsibility to keep the rented property in good condition, take care of the garden, and address minor repair issues, cleaning and maintaining gutters is often a landlord's obligation. You see, the landlord is responsible for keeping your investment in rental condition and when gutters suffer normal wear and tear problems, it is NOT the tenant's job to remedy them at their cost.
We recently had a tenant move to a new single-family property, and she asked if she or we took care of the gutter cleaning. If you notice your gutters starting to leak or overflow, it's a sign that they need cleaning (or professional inspection). As a landlord, I fully agree with you Kaylee, that it is the owner's responsibility to clean the gutters. How often gutters and downspouts are cleaned depends on the location of the property and its surroundings.
I have no qualms about paying someone to clean the gutters and clean the debris out of them, as this maintenance protects my property. Paying a tenant's medical bills and lost wages will cost you much more than paying to have gutters cleaned professionally every two years. To avoid any misinterpretation, liability with respect to gutter cleaning should be defined in the lease agreement. And to confirm the above, the RTA (the Residential Leasing Authority) clearly stipulates who is actually responsible for cleaning gutters in a rental property, as well as some exceptions to the rule.
However, if you have specific tree species in your garden near the house that shed flowers and leaves during the summer, inspecting and cleaning your gutters then and later in the colder months will save you from worrying about both fire hazards and water damage to the property. There is no “standard lease” and while there are laws governing property leases, these laws don't necessarily prevent the landlord from trying to hold you responsible for cleaning gutters. Otherwise, the general rule is that gutter cleaning should be done once every 12 months, better - in late autumn, when nearby trees have already lost their leaves. It's also a smart financial option, as the system will pay for itself, as it can skip gutter cleaning sessions (and can avoid costly liability issues).
Therefore, regular gutter cleaning ensures that fallen leaves and twigs, tree flowers, and sometimes insect, rodent and bird nests and debris, are removed in time and long before major blockages occur. If your lease has provisions that specify that the tenant is responsible for “exterior maintenance” and “landscaping,” then gutter cleaning could be on your to-do list.
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