Am I "Old School"? - Landlord Forum thread

Am I "Old School"? by jannie (IL) on May 18, 2012 @16:26

I just read in the last post that the LL felt plumbing repairs were T responsibility after 30 days. (I assumed this is clogged drains, not broken pipe under the sink). I guess we just always came over and fixed for T. We've been lucky and nothing major, though a lost earing, plus not being informed that the caulking around the tub was loose. She told us with her 30 days notice. (We messed up and been over there for small repairs, but didn't do a good inspection -- learned)
Anyway what repairs do you require tenant to pay for?

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Re: Am I "Old School"? by Julie in PA on May 18, 2012 @16:34	[ Reply ]

I don't have T pay for anything while they're living there. I take it out of the security deposit if it was damaged due to their negligence. Otherwise, normal wear and tear I repair. I have heard of leases that contain covenants to repair which means the T is responsible for everything... roof, furnace, etc. (Like that's going to get done!).

Re: Am I "Old School"?

Re: Am I by Eloise (FL) on May 18, 2012 @17:13	[ Reply ]

I agree, you don't want the tenant paying for repairs as they will either never get done, or done incorrectly. However, if you use the LPA lease, there is a provision allowing you to word in there that "minor repairs" of less than xx amount, is responsibility of the tenant. And this is what I have. I find it convenient as my property is 700 miles away and I don't want to become the tenant's concierge service. .

Re: Am I by Anonymous on May 18, 2012 @17:28	[ Reply ]

I didn't say "plumbing repairs" - I said clogged drains. There is a HUGE difference in tenant types. I rent to ones that aren't cream of the crop. None of them have the 700+ credit scores I read about here. Someone with a 700 credit score doesn't want to live in one of my places. I rent to "lower class" and they don't take care of things. Shaving your head and beard over the kitchen sink after your wife poured bacon grease down the drain directly from the pan isn't uncommon. If it runs free for 30 days (and they all do because after each vacancy we snake them to the main sewer line) the tenant is putting something down there that doesn't belong and I won't run over there every month or so to unclog a drain. After the first time, they seldom do it twice.

Re: Am I "Old School"? by Betty L on May 18, 2012 @22:33	[ Reply ]

Yes you are 'Old School'! Stay that way as you have a more professional approach in maintaing you property. You have relized that no one will monitor you property closer than you do. Small unreported repairs can lead to bigger problems if you do not inspect you property often. You should require payment for any repairs that are caused by the tenant or the tenants guest, family etc. Payment should be in full no latter than the next rental payment due date, if not on the completion of the repair.

Re: Am I "Old School"? by Nicole (PA) on May 19, 2012 @09:30	[ Reply ]

I didn't say "plumbing repairs", I said clogged drains. When you rent to a lower class type tenant many of them don't have even basic common sense smarts. They cut their hair and shave over the kitchen sink and it all goes down the drain ... the same one where they dump the bacon grease. They flush ALL sorts of stuff down the toilets. Once they see the landlord isn't going to come in and clean the drains for them every few months and they are responsible for theirown actions, they change their methods. From what I read here, many of you seem to have higher end rentals. When you have middle to lower end, it's not the same.

Re: Am I "Old School"?