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Reasonable to request a rent reduction?
by Stacey (New Hampshire)
on April 15, 2014 @21:22
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A basement bedroom in my rental home (that was in use) flooded 2 weeks ago. Called the LL immediately and a few hours later his wife brought a dehumidifier and shop vac. 48 hours later it re-flooded and the next day the LL moved the bedroom furniture out and into storage. The next day he removed the laminate flooring and 2 days later a small portion of drywall. We requested mold testing which was done yesterday and are awaiting results. At the mold inspectors advice the LL came yesterday and removed many more feet of drywall. We have about 7-10 days before the room will be habitable again at the earliest and have not been able to sleep in the bedroom since the first flood, plus our furniture is gone.
We have requested a rent reduction for total loss of the bedroom and half loss of the adjacent room (currently used to store all the stuff from the bedroom as well as a sleeping space on a pullout sofa) which is a playroom for the young children in the home usually. We've also asked for reimbursent for electricity charges above the typical for us due to running the dehumidifier and a new sump pump 24/7. Does this sound reasonable?
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Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction?
by BIll
on April 15, 2014 @21:52
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Your landlord is doing everything possible to return you to normal. If you are not happy, ask to be released from the lease and find a place where you will be happy.
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Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction?
by Garry (Iowa)
on April 15, 2014 @22:57
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Yes, it is reasonable to ask for a 1/3 rent reduction for 1 month while the reconstruction of 1/3 of your home is being done. I assume it was heavy rains that caused the flooding. However, I wouldn't try to be "picky" and ask for extra on the electric. If this was an act of God, no one should expect to be made 100% whole again. The LL is putting both time and money into this unexpected project, and he will never be 100% whole again, even if he has insurance to cover it. If the LL won't go with the rent reduction, you probably will just have to live with it. But, you may want to consider giving him notice 45 days before your lease is up, that you plan on moving out at the end of it. It just depends on how he treats your family going forward. But, yes, I would at least ask him, and tell him how its affecting your family.
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Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction?
by Lisa (GA)
on April 16, 2014 @05:43
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No one has mentioned renters insurance. Have you put this in with your rental insurance. When I was renting, my washer flooded the downstairs of my rental. My insurance handled everything with the LL insurance and would have covered the increase in the electricity and water bill.
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Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction?
by JJ (NYC)
on April 16, 2014 @19:40
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Your renters insurance SHOULD be covering you for this and since it isn't...that's problematic for many reasons despite what your rep told you. I hope they told you your insurance is inadequate, right? I mean didn't you tell them you were occupying a basement? Basements flood, like you know?
You should move preferabbly not in a basement or a flood zone.
YES, asking for electricity ? LOL
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Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction?
by Anonymous
on April 18, 2014 @03:48
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The relationship with your landlord sounds like it is beyond repair at this point. Take your landlords offer to break the lease and find another place to rent.
Your idea of the landlord reimbursing you for an electric bill is too difficult to calculate.
The rent reduction? My experience as a landlord would not allow a tenant to dictate how much rent they are going to pay. Because my business plan dictates how much I have to ask for rent in order to cover the expenses I incur in renting my property. If the town has very limited rentals, I would think the landlord knows this as well as the renter.....
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