Gutter Cleaning - Whose Responsibility is it? 

Recently we have been asked this question several times. Gutter cleaning is one of those subjects that has some gray areas and many owners question this same thing. We would like to provide you with some thought on the subject and explain why we feel that it is recommended that you the owner accept this responsibility and have this added to an annual maintenance plan.

Why? Tenants are responsible for the commonly used features of the property or any move in condition minus normal wear and tear items. Gutters are not a part of the home that the tenant necessarily uses or has access to, so therefore it is an area that isn’t typically maintained by the tenants. Cleaning the gutters requires somebody to operate at dangerous heights and/or performing tasks that most renters and even

homeowners are not comfortable or even knowledgeable in doing. Therefore, we feel that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to see that this preventative maintenance is done by a qualified service provider. The cost of having them cleaned at least once a year will be far less than to have them be clogged or backed up and cause damage to your property.

And, if you think about legalities, do you really want a tenant that is not ‘handy’ to be climbing a ladder and using tools at the height of your roof or on your roof to clean them? We can only imagine the horror stories that have or can result from such acts that would fall on your homeowners’ responsibilities.

Maintaining your properties gutters and keeping them clean is a task that should be of a serious nature for any homeowner. Gutters that overfill with leaves, twigs, and debris can cause serious damage to your property. This can have a range of effects on your property, with damage taking many forms including:

• A poorly functioning drainage system

• Water damage due to overflow

• Standing water that becomes a mosquito breeding site (read more on why standing water matters)

• Internal water damage in the roof of the rental property

• Warped/bent gutters which affect the appearance of the property & cause safety

hazards/concerns

• Damage to roofing, facia boards, pathways, patios, decks and landscaping

• Cracked foundations

If you end up with a homeowner’s insurance claim as a result of backed-up gutters, and the Insurance assessor’s inspection shows the damage is a result of them not being maintained, or a lack of preventive maintenance, they will most likely deny your claim. The insurance company might even want evidence that the gutters have been maintained in the event of a claim.

*With all things considered it is our opinion then that this is in the homeowner’s best interest to contract for this service as part of the rental agreement and have the gutters cleaned out at least once a year.