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Repairs - LPA Lease - Garage Door Spring??
by Anonymous
on April 30, 2012 @10:25
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Good Morning to all!
I have never even heard of this so had to Google it, and now I need your input on the matter, please! Got an email this morning from the tenant, the garage door spring "came unraveled" on one side, the garage door, not sure if it was closed or open at the time, but she says it is open at THIS time. The property is 6 years old, not sure if this makes sense, I've lived in much older properties and have never seen this happen, at least while I've lived in them so I am at a loss. On the LPA lease, I know there's some wording regarding the garage, but I'd love your thoughts on this.
Also, and this is also stipulated on the lease but again, since she mentioned it, I'd like to be reasonable, {although it's as usual a bad time for me lol} the microwave {it's a range type} stopped heating, she wants to know what to do about it.
Reading the lease, I guess I'm just confused because I don't know if the garage door is considered a "minor repair" or what?? And the microwave, I think they have to handle it, right? Help! Sorry, I'm rusty, haven't had issues in months lol. Thanks in advance.
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Re: Repairs - LPA Lease - Garage Door Spring??
by Shelly (NM)
on April 30, 2012 @10:50
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I'm wondering why you don't just get someone to look at the garage door? If I was renting and my garage door didn't close, I would be concerned and wanting it fixed right away. Not a "minor" repair when the contents of your garage are exposed to anyone riding by. As to the microwave, you might have that and other nonessential appliances (if you provided them) exempted from your responsibility...unless that's her only cooking appliance. If it was in the unit when you rented it to them, you are responsible for fixing it should it go on the fritz, however, things like washers and dryers and microwaves aren't essential appliances.
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Re: Repairs - LPA Lease - Garage Door Spring??
by Anonymous
on April 30, 2012 @10:58
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I am not sure about the garage door but my inclination would be that you should repair it because it's a mechanical issue. If the repair person can determine if it was broken due to misuse, then bill the tenant otherwise, it's just something that happened that was no ones fault.
The microwave would be your responsibility since it came with the property as a built in, similar to the oven or a dishwasher. Now, I know microwave ranges are pretty expensive because I just went shopping for a microwave this week and have seen the prices. So, you might wish to replace it with a countertop one if $ is an issue right now. They start at about $60 and up depending on features. The tenant still gets use of a microwave but will have to sacrifice about a foot of counter space unless you wish to give them a free standing cart if that fits in the kitchen comfortably.
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Re: Repairs - LPA Lease - Garage Door Spring??
by Fred (MN)
on April 30, 2012 @13:02
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You are almost certain to be responsible for repairing the garage door asap, unless you can show the tenants caused the damage (e.g. a kid standing on the outside handle while his younger brother hits the door opener! yes - that happened with my rental). It's a fact that mechanical things will break down, it's just a matter of when, so you have to plan for it.
For the microwave, you'll probably need to buy a new one. MW's are seldom repaired, or worth repairing. A minor suggestion to you is remove the microwave for your next tenants. A microwave is a luxury item in a rental, and as you now know, they cost you money and heart ache. If a tenant wants to nuke their leftovers, they can head to Walmart and make it happen on their own dime.
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Re: Repairs - LPA Lease - Garage Door Spring??
by Jake
on April 30, 2012 @13:15
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"Reading the lease, I guess I'm just confused"
Let me help you. Repair the door and replace the microwave.
Why do you issue a lease that you can not understand. But yet you expect the tenant to understand it.
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Re: Repairs - LPA Lease - Garage Door Spring??
by Anonymous
on April 30, 2012 @13:16
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Eloise, my LPA lease specifies that the entire garage, and all mechanisms and contents are provided for the tenant's convenience, at their own risk, and any maintenance is up to them. Replacing or repairing a garage door spring (mine is 28 years old and has only ever needed adjustment), can cost $50.00 to $150.00.
That being said can you visit the property and view the mechanism for yourself? If it it definitely abused then you know where to send the bill. If it is normal wear and tear, then get it fixed, but make sure they know the garage is provided for their convenience and is not part of the living area. IMO, the mcirowave is their issue.
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Re: Repairs - LPA Lease - Garage Door Spring??
by Nicole (PA)
on April 30, 2012 @16:53
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my garage door spring in my home broke several years ago. I was still in the car when it snapped (or whatever they do). If it or any of the other parts that flew would have hit someone/something, there would have been injuries/damages other than the spring itself. Since then, I've had it "serviced" and intend to do so every 5 years. If I wouldn't have seen it happen (and, while I was there, I didn't really see it because it happened in seconds) I wouldn't have thought it flying off the track like it did could happen.
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Re: Repairs - LPA Lease - Garage Door Spring??
by Anonymous
on April 30, 2012 @18:13
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If you want a happy tenant repair the garage door and buy a cheap microwave. I have the LPA lease as well and the garage door spring broke and I just replaced it. I know what the lease says but I also feel that if something worked when they rented it then I should repair it. Now my tenant also wanted me to insulate the garage and that was a big fat NO but I told him he was free to do it at his expense but it stayed when he moved.
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