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Tenant installed brand new central air
by Confused LL (AL)
on July 11, 2012 @12:13
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Here's the short of the story. I pay utilities for tenant and I see a new energy efficient credit on my recent bill. I called him up to see if he knew anything of why I'm getting this now. Find out tenant had AC go out. He doesn't tell me, he just tries to get it repaired. They convince him it's inefficient (true... it's pretty old) and he'd be better off just getting a brand new one. Sounds good to my tenant. He gets a brand new central air system installed. He doesn't want anything, he says we'll "square up" at the end of his lease. I asked him what that means and he just says "I don't know... we'll figure it all out later." I have the work order, receipt, inspection report, etc. Tenant did it all because he didn't want to bother me. I feel like a storm is coming and I'm not sure how to respond.... your thoughts?
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Re: Tenant installed brand new central air
by Anonymous
on July 11, 2012 @12:37
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Send him a certified letter informing him that since he did not get your approval for this that you will not be reimbursing him for his costs. Hopefully in your lease you address that they are not to do any repairs without your consent. If so highlight this in the lease. A tenant does not have the right to make repairs without your approval - they do not own the place they rent. I would also note in the letter that in the future he is to contact you before making any repairs. Legally I don't think you have anything to worry about. On the other hand if he has been a great tenant and you don't want to tick him off you could offer to pay for part of it since you would have had to replace it anyhow from the sounds of it. I wouldn't just ignore the issue as you are right there could be a storm brewing ahead plus he needs to know that what he did was unacceptable and in the future he is not to do that.
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Re: Tenant installed brand new central air
by Eloise
on July 11, 2012 @13:52
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When is this lease end?
Old or not, the AC unit is your responsibility and it is your right to know when something is wrong. This is really convenient NOW, but nobody has a crystal ball to know if "not worrying about it" now means this is going to be a HUGE worry in the future!
Putting myself in this tenant's shoes, the only reason I would consider taking up the bill for such an expensive item, is because I would expect my money back one way or another, maybe when he moves out he might ask for a check, maybe he might ask for a rental price lowering for the next year, maybe he expects you to re-imburse him for his troubles.... who knows! Especially in your tenant friendly state.
This, to me, is a cause of concern. I do agree with Bryan that you could stir the pot now or deal with it when the lease is over, one way or another, you need to address it. And he needs to take his lease a little more serious. What happens when he makes other improvements? hmmm, worry!
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Re: Tenant installed brand new central air
by Jake
on July 11, 2012 @14:03
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It is not the way to do things. But, if the unit was old and needed replacing, you should not look for ways to keep it without paying. However, make it clear that nothing else should be repaired or replaced without your notice.
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Re: Tenant installed brand new central air
by Nerd (Ga)
on July 11, 2012 @15:58
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I would insist on seeing the invoice for the new AC and writing the tenant a check. From what I understand a new AC is considered an improvement to the property and you can begin getting depreciation value the year in which it was purchased when you file your taxes. You won't be able to do that if your tenant is the purchaser. If you had just fixed the old one it would have been a repair and all of the repair cost could have been deducted. A new AC is great but your tenant should not have purchased it with or without your knowledge.
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Re: Tenant installed brand new central air
by Anonymous
on July 12, 2012 @02:58
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Just say, "Thanks for the AC unit." Check your lease. There should be a clause that says anything affixed to the building becomes the property of the landlord. If your's doesn't have it, put it in next time.
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