Tennant out of line - Landlord Forum thread 361147

Tennant out of line by Dave on February 28, 2021 @10:25

Well I came home yesterday and went past my rental property in the Dayton, Ohio area. I saw the tenants removed some of the shrubs in front of the rental unit. The unit is a side by side brick double. The couple that removed the shrubbery rent the one side and the mother of the wife of that tenant rents the other side. Both sides are on a month to month holdover from the original one year written lease signed three years ago. Because both sides are related to each other I have keep both sides rented and occupied for three years. At any rate I was not happy about the shrubbery removal by the tenant. I sent a text advising that she was supposed to get approval from me first before taking and material action on the premises. I also inquired why she removed them in the first place. She texted back "Sorry the shrubs in question were dead and infested with termites. We had an issue with ants on that side of the home. We treated several times to kill ants. We will replant bushes in spring". So thats there reason. I havent responded but at the least will text them they need to clear it with me first!!!

Of course I am compromised a little perhaps because the other side is rented by a family member of the tenant in question. Both sides are paying rent and are caught up at this writing. Was wondering how the rest of you would handle it. Just give them a wrist slapping or something more?

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Re: Tennant out of line by Garry on February 28, 2021 @13:18	[ Reply ]

If the tenant is willing to replant new shrubs in the Spring, then let them do so. Text them as to what and how many to buy, and you will reimburse them for the shrubs by taking the cost off their May rent. Tell them they will do all the labor for free to replant new ones by May Day. Since the T said they were dead, and you cannot prove differently, YOU should pay for them. At this point, as you said, you have 2 long term tenants that are up-to-date on their rents, and apparently like to take care of YOUR property. Don't screw that up with something "petty".

Re: Tennant out of line