Quote:
Originally Posted by fastfredracing
If you were a tenant ... I think we are pretty good at taking care of issues as they crop up. Of course, a lot of times, the tenant feels the issue is urgent, and we feel differently, and take care of it when we can.
Take into consideration that we are a 2 man operation, with no employees.
When I cannot personally get to something, it can sometimes take a few weeks to get our handy man guy to show up for non emergencies .
Here is her list this month ( she always has a list )
1) cracking plaster on the wall next to the stairway heading upstairs
2 ). 2 ceiling tiles are stained , we had a leaky bathtub drain last month , ( which I fixed johnny on the spot
3). dripping faucet in bathroom .
She says she told my partner 3 weeks ago. I first heard about it last Tuesday, I bought the supplies, and dropped them off last Thursday, and and we are repairing tomorrow .
She is withholding rent till we make repairs . She has pulled this stunt with my partner for 10 years.
This don't fly with me. Im not being strong armed by a tenant . I do as good as I can with repairs , and always keep the lines of communication open, I think Im good.
What says you fellows ? Are these wait times acceptable?
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Cracked plaster? What caused the cracks? Did she cause that moving in?
Stained ceiling tiles? Go in there and blast them with a rattle can. She can deal with the smell.
Dripping faucet, LMAO. Just replace it. Does she pay the water bill, or is it included in the rent?
Go in there, fix the issues, collect the rent check. My guess is, that she doesn't have the money to pay the rent.
Be nice, don't apologise. Be prepared to evict her. Find out what late fee's are allowed in your state. Inform her, that late fees per day will be added when she is late/ refuses to pay rent. If she doesn't like that, tell her you are prepared to have her removed.
I handle some single family rentals for my parents. She is a problem renter. I have never dealt with a renter that complained about cracks. They usually cause them. If they choose to paint, they are charged to repaint in the std white on the ceilings and walls. I require, first and last months rent, and 1 months security deposit, before a lease is signed. If they can't come up with it, not my problem. It weeds out a lot of tenants.
Each house has central A/C. It is disclosed before the lease is signed, the A/C does not work, and it will not be repaired. They all work. A good tenant will have A/C if they know how to use a T-stat.
You post about tenants now and again. I would suggest that you look at the way you handle the landlord aspect. The houses I deal with are in the middle/upper range, of home sale prices in their towns.
I have no problem with a house sitting vacant for a month or two. Future problems can be addressed, upgrades can be made. Rentals get beat up, eliminate weak issues, make it robust.
Don't be afraid to ask more rent than the house/area warrants. It brings a better renter.