Some cities are seeking more and more to regulate what landlords can do, and this week’s question is about whether a city could require screens on rental property windows. Veteran landlord and property manager Hank Rossi weighs in on that question this week.
Dear Landlord Hank:
Our city is seeking to require landlords to place screens on all windows in their rental units in the city. This seems a rather draconian change. The tenants rarely open windows anyway. Do you have to put screens on all your rental windows and put up with this kind of thing from the city?
-Frustrated Landlord Vincent:
Dear Landlord Vincent:
I have rentals in the South, both in Georgia and Florida.
For months at a time the weather is beautiful and interior climate control is not necessary.
I’m not sure what the legal requirement is, but the weather here is such that some of the year you would want to open your windows and have fresh air.
I have screens on all windows in my rentals and replace as needed.
Some rentals have sliding glass doors and they require screens as well.
I’d also want screens on my windows to keep out insects.
I want happy tenants.
Sincerely,
Hank Rossi
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