Renting comes with a major perk: your landlord handles most of the maintenance. Still, tenants should take simple steps to clean and protect their space for a safer, more comfortable home and to improve the chance of getting their full security deposit back. Use this apartment maintenance checklist for renters as a quick guide, and remember—some tasks you can handle yourself, but others should go straight to your landlord.

Man performing routine apartment maintenance in Lansing & Jackson, MI

1. Know Your Lease and Your Role

Your lease should outline tenant responsibilities for maintenance, so read it carefully. Look for who handles the following:

Replacing HVAC and refrigerator filters.
Changing burned-out light bulbs.
Swapping carbon monoxide and smoke alarm batteries.
Repairing damage caused by misuse.
Performing other minor fixes.

When you know what you’re responsible for, you can follow apartment maintenance tips that match your lease instead of guessing.

2. Watch for Leaks and Prevent Water Damage

Moisture causes more apartment issues than many tenants realize. A big part of any tenant maintenance guide is keeping things dry. Here’s how:

Run the bathroom fan while showering.
Check under sinks weekly for leaks.
Wipe spills promptly.
Open windows when cooking if the weather permits.
Check around tubs, sinks, and windows for soft spots, bubbling paint, or visible mold.

If you see or smell something off, report it.

3. Protect Your Plumbing

Drains and toilets have their limits. Prevent messy clogs and backups with these apartment maintenance tips every tenant should know:

Place strainers in sinks and tubs.
Don’t flush paper towels, hygiene products, or wipes, even if they’re “flushable.”
Dispose of cooking grease in the trash, not by rinsing it down the drain.
Run the tap water while using the garbage disposal.
Keep a plunger on hand and be prepared to use it.

If a drain becomes completely blocked or a toilet overflows, report it before the problem escalates.

4. Treat Appliances with Care

Most apartments include appliances that require simple upkeep:

Clean the stove top and oven regularly to save yourself from a painful deep-clean at move-out.
Avoid overloading the dishwasher or washing machine.
Leave some space behind the refrigerator so air can circulate, and vacuum the coils every few months to remove hair and buildup.

5. Test Alarms

Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors protect you and everyone in the building. Test these alarms monthly and replace batteries when they chirp (if that’s the tenant’s responsibility—otherwise report it to your landlord). If a safety device looks damaged or does not reset, submit a maintenance request.

6. Keep Pests Away

Pests love crumbs, clutter, and open trash. You don’t have to deep-clean constantly, but consistent habits can prevent an infestation. Add these tasks to your apartment maintenance checklist for renters:

Bag trash as you generate it and take it to the designated disposal area before it overflows.
Wipe down kitchen surfaces nightly.
Store food in sealed containers.

If you see droppings, nests, or live pests, report it promptly so maintenance can address it more easily.

7. Protect Floors, Walls, and Surfaces

You can personalize your apartment without leaving damage behind. Here’s how:

Hang artwork from stick-on hooks if your lease restricts nails.
Put felt pads under furniture to prevent scratching the floor.
Place mats at entry doors to catch dirt and moisture.
Choose cleaners suited to your surfaces to avoid discoloration.

These simple choices make move-out inspections go smoother.

Report Issues Fast and Leave the Big Stuff to Your Landlord

Even with strong apartment maintenance tips, things break. Take photos to submit with your maintenance request. Include when the issue started and whether it’s getting worse. Fast reporting protects your apartment and saves your landlord from a more expensive fix. It also shows you’re a responsible tenant and deserve to get your security deposit back.

Certain repairs are risky, require specialized tools, or involve building-wide systems, so letting the experts handle them keeps everyone safe. Rather than attempting to DIY the following, add them to your “call the maintenance team” list:

Electrical problems, such as sparking outlets, breaker issues, or widespread flickering.
Gas or furnace issues, including gas smells or a broken heater.
Water intrusion from burst pipes, ceiling leaks, or floodwater.
Structural concerns like sagging floors, large cracks, or loose railings.
Broken appliances, if they came with the apartment.
Pest infestations comprising bedbugs, roaches, mice, or widespread ants.
Anything affecting safety or security, such as broken doors, windows, or locks.

Find an Apartment That Makes Maintenance Easier

Westbay Management keeps maintenance simple with responsive service, well-maintained buildings and grounds, and thoughtful amenities. Our communities in Lansing and Jackson, MI, offer one- and two-bedroom floor plans, affordable prices, and pet-friendly living. Our responsive on-site management and maintenance staff handle issues quickly and to your satisfaction. We invite you to put these apartment maintenance tips to use in a home that’s easy to care for. Schedule a tour today, and find the next place you want to call home.

Apartment Maintenance Tips All Tenants Need to Know