Century 21 Liberty Homes is known for not just our outstanding agents in the Mililani area but for it's Property Management of over 100 rental units (single family, townhouses, condos).  I am a Realtor -Associate® with Century 21 Liberty Homes and I also work in our office part time as support for our agents, property management and administration section.

I have seen the worst of the worst as far as the devastation a tenant can cause and leave behind so I thought that a Code of Ethics would be great not just for Buyers and Sellers but for TENANTS too.

At the very least spell it out for them so that they have it black and white. Maybe even make a magnet out of it so they can put it on their refrigerator. As you all know I am a condo owner with tenants above me who failed neglected to tell anyone that there was a massive amount of water that mysteriously appeared a week ...yes a week...before the water fell through our ceiling. You can read it here if you missed it:  Bathroom & Kitchen Leaks- Responsible Condo Living in Hawaii

I don't have any rental units but I surely would consider adding a LARGE ammendment to the rental agreement that spells out something like this:

•  REPORT ANY INCIDENTS IMMEDIATELY (including but not limited to water/plumbing leaks or water spills, electrical mishaps, hazardous situations or structural damage) And in case you don't know...if you neglect to take action then you could be liable for damages. Call your landlord, property manager, security, the association, the maintenance company.
• PLEASE TAKE CARE OF MY PROPERTY and at the very least...clean up after yourselves. Take pride in the appearance of your living conditions. Don't spill stuff on the carpet and leave it so it stains. Maintain the appliances (clean out the dust bunnies!) so they don't overheat and cause a fire.
• IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND YOU CAN'T GET AHOLD OF YOUR LANDLORD  call a plumber for a leak, call an electrician if there are sparks flying around, let the neighbors below and on the side of you know that something happened that could possibly damage their unit. Again, you could be liable for not only the damage you caused to the unit you reside...but to other units that were damaged as well!
• FOLLOW ASSOCIATION AND CONDO ASSOCIATION RULES!   What part of Association Rules do you not understand? You chose to rent in this complex that has rules...so follow them.
• RESPECT YOUR NEIGHBORS  Be aware of being a nuisance to the neighbors. If you live above someone...don't stomp and let your children bounce of the floors (which is someone else's ceiling). Don't park your bicycle or stroller in front of their door or bang your car door against theirs when you're getting in the car.
• DON'T THROW WATER OFF YOUR FRONT AND BACK PORCH when your neighbors underneath you are walking out their front door or lounging in their chairs on their back porches.  For one...it's the rules of the complex association...for another common sense that someone might be underneath. And yet another, why are you going to sweep your trash off your balcony? So the owners underneath have to not only clean their own porches....and then clean all the stuff you just dumped on theirs...again? 
• YOU BREAK IT..YOU FIX IT. Common sense tells you that if you break something you are responsible to replace it. Don't conceal, lie or fabricate stories to push blame on the owner just because they own it. Be accountable for your own actions.
• IF YOU HAVE GUESTS IN YOUR UNIT PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY ABIDE BY ALL THE GUIDELINES AND THE RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION TOO. You are responsible for your guests and their actions too!
• TAKE CARE OF THE UNIT AS IF YOU OWNED IT! You may not own it but it is your responsibility to take care of it and leave it in the same condition as you originally rented it in.

Just because you pay your rent on time doesn't warrant you as a great tenant. The mess you create or leave behind can also go on your rental history and rent check as well. It can also leave you liable for the neglect or irresponsibility of your actions that create damage to other units as well as the one you are in. The respect and responsibility you have for your rental unit labels you as a good or bad tenant.

Information and Laws for the Hawaii Landlord and Tenant:

Chapter 521 Residential Landlord-Tenant Code of the Hawaii Revised Statutes

Residential Landlord-Tenant Handbook (PDF) 

* If you are looking for a rental unit or need assistance with property management please call our office at 808-625-1776.

© 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, All rights reserved.