Landlord/Tenant WWYD

[RachelEllen]

Im curious about peoples opinions about this.

I've been leasing out my condo for one year. My first tenant was very low maintainance. I would get my checks every month and hear nothing else. I guess I was spoiled!

I just got a second tenant, who has presented me with a list of things to "fix"

1) Bathroom light doesn't work - Reasonable, I will fix
2) Disposal don't work - Again, reasonable

now it gets a bit out there

3) Several slats in blinds bent.
4) Stain on bedroom carpet
5) Bathroom door doesn't close well

To me, these kind of seem like things that go with living in a not new place. I shampooed the carpets. Does he want me to replace them? I lived the sticky bathroom door myself for a year. What would he expect me to do about this?

In addition, I was out of town the day he moved in. (I had an agent. She told him I wouldn't be there to address any issues until I returned. He insisted on moving in early.) Now I found out that the day after he moved in, he had an electrician come in to look at the bathroom light issue. And he wants me to pay for that!

I'm having a feeling this guy may be a pain in the neck. The lease does say that the property (which is very new, and actually in really nice shape) is being leased as is. I want a good relationship with this guy, but I don't want to be taken advantage of.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Are you sure items 3-5 were things he wants fixed? Maybe he just wants you to know about those items so he is not held responsible for them
Don't know. Our tenants had to be evicted for not paying rent, busting the door down, etc. so why I would defend the actions of a tenant right now I do not know

 

[sbell111]

Im curious about peoples opinions about this.

I've been leasing out my condo for one year. My first tenant was very low maintainance. I would get my checks every month and hear nothing else. I guess I was spoiled!

I just got a second tenant, who has presented me with a list of things to "fix"

1) Bathroom light doesn't work - Reasonable, I will fix
2) Disposal don't work - Again, reasonable

now it gets a bit out there

3) Several slats in blinds bent.
4) Stain on bedroom carpet
5) Bathroom door doesn't close well

To me, these kind of seem like things that go with living in a not new place. I shampooed the carpets. Does he want me to replace them? I lived the sticky bathroom door myself for a year. What would he expect me to do about this?

In addition, I was out of town the day he moved in. (I had an agent. She told him I wouldn't be there to address any issues until I returned. He insisted on moving in early.) Now I found out that the day after he moved in, he had an electrician come in to look at the bathroom light issue. And he wants me to pay for that!

I'm having a feeling this guy may be a pain in the neck. The lease does say that the property (which is very new, and actually in really nice shape) is being leased as is. I want a good relationship with this guy, but I don't want to be taken advantage of.

He could be telling you about these little things because he wants them fixed, but he could be telling you because he doesn't want you to keep his deposit once he leaves. Talk to him about the things that you can fix (such as the door that doesn't properly close) and about the things that you won't repair (such as the carpet stain). Let him know that you have included this list of things in your file so that they won't affect his deposit.

Regarding the electrician bill, If the bill wasn't too high or if it was a repair that I would have needed to call someone in to fix, I would pay it. Also, you need to consider what the lease (and your local laws) say about necessary repairs if you cannot be reached? Finally, what did your leasing agent tell him that he should do about maintenance problems until you return?

 

[RachelEllen]

That was my first thought. He's been kind of a pain to communicate with. He's out of town a lot on business (which I thought would be great!). He doesn't return phone calls. I get two line responses from his blackberry. He seems like a high powered corporate type who's used to a lot of support staff. I don't really want to be his support staff!

Anyhow, yes, best I can tell, he wants the entire list "taken care of by the time he gets back"

 

[RachelEllen]

Regarding the electrician bill, If the bill wasn't too high or if it was a repair that I would have needed to call someone in to fix, I would pay it. Also, you need to consider what the lease (and your local laws) say about necessary repairs if you cannot be reached? Finally, what did your leasing agent tell him that he should do about maintenance problems until you return?

The leasing agent told him I would be returning Aug 1st, and if he wanted to move in early, I would not be reachable until then. I was out of the country on vacation, a very unusual occurance.

Personally, I don't think one broken light in the bathroom is an emergency, which is why I'm afraid he's kind of high maintainance. I may pay the bill (if its reasonable) as a one time thing, but I maintain a home warentee on the property just for this reason. It galls me to have to pay someone to fix something that would have been covered.

 

[sbell111]

Here's an alternative.

Just tell him that you will not pay the bill as the lease doesn't allow him to call a repairman for these types of issues. Further, you will not be making the other unnecessary repairs.

He is welcome to move out at the end of his lease (or you can allow him to break it with no penalty if you really want him gone).

Sometimes, this type of personality requires a firm hand.

 

[wdwfan16]

He might want to get it documented that these things are problems so you do not try to make him pay for new binds and carpet.

As far as the door goes it may just need to be sanded down.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I agree with the PP--I would not set a precedent by paying this bill. Be fair but firm. Fix real issues in a timely manner and let him know what exactly to do in an "emergency" when you cannot be reached and give him some examples of what constitues an emergency (heat out, burst pipe, etc.). Reind him hte house is 'as is" and things like bent blinds and a carpet stain are not going away. Be professional and polite but don't give in--he may htink he can intimidate you with his "corporate" attitude; don't fall for ir.

 

[JoiseyMom]

The leasing agent told him I would be returning Aug 1st, and if he wanted to move in early, I would not be reachable until then. I was out of the country on vacation, a very unusual occurance.

Personally, I don't think one broken light in the bathroom is an emergency, which is why I'm afraid he's kind of high maintainance. I may pay the bill (if its reasonable) as a one time thing, but I maintain a home warentee on the property just for this reason. It galls me to have to pay someone to fix something that would have been covered.

If it would have been covered, and it wasn't an emergency, and he didn't wait a reasonable amount of time to speak to you or your agent, and just took it upon himself, then I really don't think you are ressponsible for the bill. I mean he moved in, and he told the agent. He knew you were out of town.. how long before he had the electrician come in? I mean its a light, not a broken water pipe or fridge!

 

[terri01p]

Here's an alternative.

Just tell him that you will not pay the bill as the lease doesn't allow him to call a repairman for these types of issues. Further, you will not be making the other unnecessary repairs.

He is welcome to move out at the end of his lease (or you can allow him to break it with no penalty if you really want him gone).

Sometimes, this type of personality requires a firm hand.

I totally agree with this and also would add: In the future all repairs must be approved FIRST.

 

[penguin087]

I agree with the pps. You have to show a firm hand right off the bat and not be a push over with him. I would assure him that the blinds and carpet are clean and functionable though not new. If he chooses to replace them out of his own pocket, they must be replaced with similar quality items in a neutral color that you will need to see prior to installation and he will leave behind when he moves out.
I might pay for the electrician this time for goodwill but I'd make sure he understood he is not authorized to call random repair people and if he chooses to in the future they will be at his expense.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Well, I'd personally consider a light in the bathroom something I needed fixed quickly, because that's where I put on make-up, do my hair, etc. and I need some light! The other things, not so much.

Teresa

 

[Linzybrooke]

I agree with several of the other PPs, he should have consulted you prior to calling a repairman. Get out your lease paperwork and review the section on necessary repairs before agreeing to anything. We lease our home and have a new tenant moving in next week, we just looked through our stuff because the current tenant says that the disposal isn't working anymore. Based on our lease paperwork and agents opinion, unless it is mechanical then it is their problem to fix, as it probably broke when they dropped something down there that didn't belong. You should only be covering repairs that are failure due to mechanical/electrical need, not negligence on the part of the renter. Go over your lease, call your leasing agent if necessary, but don't just give in to this guy. He could very well be testing you to see what he can get away with. I would also schedule a time ASAP to do a walk-through with him and your agent. Document everything he says is messed up, and everything you see as well, this way when he moves out you have photographic and written documentation of everything that was "wrong" with the property at move-in and can deal with his deposit accordingly.

 

[Chicago526]

Hmmm, depending on the amount of the bill, maybe a good compromise is that you'll pay for half. You do have a repaired light fixture now, afterall. This also gives him some responsibilty for not waiting until he heard from you about it, and hopefully will make him think twice before calling a repairman on his own in the future.

Carpet and blinds...no way. Bathroom door, that's a toss up. Disposal I think is a resonable request and would do it, though I would let the tennant know that it will be scheduled at my convienace, not his (within a reasonable time frame, of cousse).

 

[ericamanda01]

1 & 2 I get, but the rest aren't needed to live in the apartment. They are cosmetic and he should have asked about them before he moved in. As for the bill I don't know about your state laws or rental agreement, but my landlord is to be informed of any issues and is allowed to hire someone herself. IF she doesn't contact me regarding those issues in a timely manner (I believe it is 10 days) then I have the right to hire someone. He sounds like he's going to be fun renting too.

 

[dakcp2001]

There is no way I would pay the bill for a repair I did not authorize. If i were you, I would put my foot down now, and offer him out of the lease now if he is unhappy with the condition.

I would also make sure any communications with him are saved, or in writing. Email might be a good way to keep records of your dealings.


If this is how it starts, its only going to get worse.

 

[RachelEllen]

Thanks for all the advice.

THe disposal is easy. I have warentee service for that. I think I will tell him that the carpet and blinds are functional. Although the building maintaince guy did offer to stop by and look at the blinds. I guess sometimes they can be popped back into shape.

Carpet is a nonstarter. As is the bathroom door.

I think for the lights, I'll ask for a copy of the bill. My electrician charges $40/hr (love him!), so I will reimburse up to that, but tell him this is a one time deal for a nonemergency,

 

[RachelEllen]

1 & 2 I get, but the rest aren't needed to live in the apartment. They are cosmetic and he should have asked about them before he moved in. As for the bill I don't know about your state laws or rental agreement, but my landlord is to be informed of any issues and is allowed to hire someone herself. IF she doesn't contact me regarding those issues in a timely manner (I believe it is 10 days) then I have the right to hire someone. He sounds like he's going to be fun renting too.

Yeah, I wish my old tenent had stayed.

I wish I could get rid of the place! I got my first real job at the height of the housing market and got this fabu luxery single girl condo. And, within a year I'm married with a kid, step-kid, and dog. I'm upside-down on the mortgage, (even with 20% down initially.) and I'm still out 30% of the monthly expenses even with this guys rent. I told the rental agent that as soon as she can sell this place (1 year, 5 years whenever) without my losing money, to please do so!

 

[diznygirl]

I know a renter who will get "work done" or have someone come in to "take a look" and offer to deduct it from the rent. However, she didn't really call anyone - she just wants to save a little money off the rent!

I'd go the "Firm Hand" route and not play his game. Otherwise, it's going to be a really long year!