diff --git a/core/testcontainers/core/config.py b/core/testcontainers/core/config.py
index 391c88bfa..e84ca10e6 100644
--- a/core/testcontainers/core/config.py
+++ b/core/testcontainers/core/config.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ class TestcontainersConfiguration:
     ryuk_reconnection_timeout: str = RYUK_RECONNECTION_TIMEOUT
     tc_properties: dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=read_tc_properties)
 
-    def tc_properties_get_tc_host(self):
+    def tc_properties_get_tc_host(self) -> str | None:
         return self.tc_properties.get("tc.host")
 
     @property
diff --git a/core/testcontainers/core/container.py b/core/testcontainers/core/container.py
index 73e3287d2..27f60da6b 100644
--- a/core/testcontainers/core/container.py
+++ b/core/testcontainers/core/container.py
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ def get_logs(self) -> tuple[bytes, bytes]:
             raise ContainerStartException("Container should be started before getting logs")
         return self._container.logs(stderr=False), self._container.logs(stdout=False)
 
-    def exec(self, command) -> tuple[int, str]:
+    def exec(self, command) -> tuple[int, bytes]:
         if not self._container:
             raise ContainerStartException("Container should be started before executing a command")
         return self._container.exec_run(command)