Landlord Pays for Stove Broke by Tenant???

Question

I had a glass top electric stove in one of my rental properties. The tenant did something where the glass top cracked - they most likely dropped something on it. The stove was old and the property manager claimed they could not find a replacement glass. Therefore, a new stove was purchased and installed. I noticed on my last statement that the property manager did not back charge the tenant nor is it their intention. After questioning my property manager about the situation, they responded in an email stating:

The stove was around 15 years old and when it broke, we couldn’t get the part to fix it and we cannot charge resident for something that old. But we did charge resident the charge to install it.

Does the age of the stove matter?

If the tenant never broke the glass top, then it would have still been working as intended. I am impartial if these tenants stay due to multiple facets of this property and the situation as a whole.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

The short answer is: Yes, the age does matter.

If this turned into a legal fight and you claimed the tenant owed you $200 for a replacement top that doesn't exist for a stove that is 15 years old, you'll get thrown out on your ear. Assuming the stove originally cost $600, the replacement top probably had a value of $150. After ten years, the stove's value is less than $100 which means the top is valued at less than $25. At 15 years, the stove is probably worth $50 and the top has a remaining value of $10 - $15. Go out and shop for a 15-year-old stove and see how far off I am.

I think it's unrealistic to charge a tenant for a replacement part that doesn't exist for a unit that has already outlived it's life expectancy. You're stewing over a very meager amount.

Scott M. · Answer

A stove typically lasts around 15 years give or take. In my house will probably last forever as little as it is used : ) So depending on use around 15 years.

I agree with your PM. You can't fairly charge the tenant the full cost of the stove as it was at or near the end of its expected life.

You always have to consider age of everything before charging a tenant. If they move in and the carpet is 10 years old, they live there 1 year and on move out you decide it needs to go, would you charge that 1 tenant who used that carpet for 1 year the cost of all new carpet?

Hint, the answer is no, you don't.

Landlord Pays for Stove Broke by Tenant???

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