Roofing Leak and Tenants Unhappy

Roofing Leak and Tenants Unhappy

Member since 2021 · 132 posts · 37 votes

Hey everyone, I manage a large home that's roughly 4500 sqft and the tenants just moved in last month. The owner lives in a different country so it's quit difficult to reach him on moments notice. We've had a lot of rain recently and the tenants told me one of the rooms had 6-7 small leaks and have put down buckets. They also noted a separate room has started to leak. So I contacted the owner and let them know of this. At the same time I've had 3 roofing companies come out and see if they can repair it but due to it being an older home and double layered shingles they all said they'd have to replace the whole roof. All three of the estimates have been 21-23k. The owner doesn't want to pay this and wants to come fix it himself in about a month or two. So my only option was to have someone put a couple of tarps over the house to temporarily solve this. The tenants are very unhappy about this considering they're paying a lot per month. What would happen in this case is there anything I can do more or could they tenants break the lease due to the issue not getting resolved? Any ideas for feedback would help. 

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Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
4y

You're the property manager and you need to make it clear to the owner that 3 professional roofing companies said the roof is beyond repair and waiting for him to come back to this country and attempt a half-assed repair job is not acceptable. If he doesn't budge, offer the tenants to break the lease and resign as the property manager. Sorry, but you should not associate yourself with owners who refuse to make repairs to make the house habitable. 

And tenants should not have to wait a month or two for a roof leak to be looked at and them attempted to be fixed. If a property manager/landlord told me that, I'd take the buckets away and let the water damage the inside of the place. 

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    4y

    While tarps aren't ideal, if they fix the damage and the owner can give them a firm date on when he will permanently repair the roof, that may be the best you can do.  

    Depending on the roof, if it is angled such that one side is visible from the road and the faces the back and where the leaks are, he might be able to have the professionals replace the leaky half now and pay for the same shingles and he replaces the other half when he comes.  Also figure out the price for material, delivery and hauling away the old shingles as once the owner knows that, he may realize he's not saving that much...plus he has to factor in his flight, hotel and food to get to the US and time off his current job.

  • Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    You're the property manager and you need to make it clear to the owner that 3 professional roofing companies said the roof is beyond repair and waiting for him to come back to this country and attempt a half-assed repair job is not acceptable. If he doesn't budge, offer the tenants to break the lease and resign as the property manager. Sorry, but you should not associate yourself with owners who refuse to make repairs to make the house habitable. 

    And tenants should not have to wait a month or two for a roof leak to be looked at and them attempted to be fixed. If a property manager/landlord told me that, I'd take the buckets away and let the water damage the inside of the place. 

  • Real Estate Professional · Hayfork, CA · Member since 2015 · 231 posts · 212 votes
    4y

    Even if a professional roofer is scheduled, if weather is unstable, the roof may need to be tarped while waiting for the actual roof replacement.  We replaced a rental roof last year and had to have it tarped because it was rainy.  We were on the roofers schedule and so it was completed about two months after the initial quote.  If the landlord is concerned about coming up with the full price immediately, some roofers will take payments if there is a percentage put down at the beginning of the job.  So it may just take a bit of discussion to find out what exactly the owners concerns are, present what the tenant concerns are and work something out that can satisfy everyone's needs.

  • Property Manager · Denver, CO · Member since 2021 · 667 posts · 587 votes
    4y

    I would look up the habitably laws in your state and let the owner know that the tenants could make a case for constructive eviction. There is probably something in it regarding how quickly action needs to be taken with regard to a repair like this. Judges don't care that an owner lives overseas and wants to save a few bucks by doing it himself. The tenants should not have to live in a property with water leaking all over their belongings. The owner is creating more problems for himself by allowing the leak to persist, (i.e. mold).  I would take the advice of @Greg M. on this one. I would also check your management contract and make sure you can't be held liable for the actions, (or lack thereof), of the owner. The only thing worse than a crappy tenant is a cheap property owner. 

  • Member since 2021 · 132 posts · 37 votes
    4y

    @Greg M. Thanks for the reply and I agree. This is one of those situations which is hard since the tenants don't want to leave since they just moved here from another state but at the same time are mad at me for not fixing it. If this continues to go on with other issues then I may have to break the lease. 

  • Member since 2021 · 132 posts · 37 votes
    4y

    @Kathy Johnson Thanks for the reply. Yeah I spoke with the roofers and if I signed today they would start in about 2-3 weeks and take about 3 days to complete. The issue isn't with payment it's more so the owner thinks he can "repair" it himself. I don't think that's smart but I can't overrule what he wants to do. 

  • Member since 2021 · 132 posts · 37 votes
    4y

    @Julie Hartman Thanks for the reply. I checked and like most states it seems to be 30 day period. I know we won't be held liable and I have let the owner know the tenants would have the right to break the lease or complain to the city about that. I'm just not sure if the tenants know that. 

  • Real Estate Broker · Hollywood, FL · Member since 2019 · 20 posts · 9 votes
    4y

    I have been in this situation many times with leaking roofs on my rental properties throughout the years. It does happen and is no fun. I have climbed up on roofs to make repairs myself while my wife is standing around watching me in case I fall. What I do now is I call a roofer that is experience fixing roof leaks. Just because a roof leaks does not mean it needs to be completely replaced. Sometimes it could be just a roof nail that popped up that can be easily fixed. Or it could be some roof shingles that came loose.  Regardless you need to show the tenant that you are trying to solve the problem to put them at ease. By doing a repair it buys you time to get roof estimates without being under pressure. It buys you time. Not crazy with the idea of putting tarps on roofs since it can create more damage. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Mountain West · Member since 2018 · 5 posts · 7 votes
    4y

    This is a tough lesson that we all could think about. 

    When do you fire customers?


    In your case as a PM, it’s an essential practice to review each year or two which of your owner/customers take up the most of your time or energy and be honest about whether they or a replacement owner would be a better customer for you. It’s likely that 20% of the customers could be causing 80% of the headaches.

  • Huntsville, AL · Member since 2018 · 577 posts · 864 votes
    4y

    @Chris G. - read what @Greg M. wrote again, as I completely agree with him.

    3 independent roof evaluations stated the roof needs to be replaced.  Well, it needs to be replaced.  

    You want to be liable when the tenant slips and falls from a leak and breaks a leg?  Or when they get ill due to mold exposure?

    Tell the landlord to replace it asap, or fire them as a client and allow the tenants out of the lease. 

  • Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2019 · 163 posts · 46 votes
    4y

    Call the town and if they come out and issue a building violation notice, that will get the owner's attention....Arthur

  • Real Estate Professional · Hayfork, CA · Member since 2015 · 231 posts · 212 votes
    4y

    We were originally scheduled to be re-roofed within a few weeks, but the weather intervened.  Unless it is storm damage, the landlord should have been expecting this to come up.  We knew the general age and condition of the roof and made plans.  Then a storm took some shingles off and hurried up our plans.  A leaky roof is going to allow more damage to other parts of the rental and it is very short sighted of the landlord to let it happen if it is avoidable.  The money he thinks he is saving by doing it himself may be eaten up in extra repairs inside due to moisture damage.


  • Property Manager · Denver, CO · Member since 2021 · 667 posts · 587 votes
    4y

    @Chris G. I am sorry you are dealing with this when you are just trying to do the job the owner is paying you to do. The guy owns a 4500sf house and didn't think he would ever have to do a major repair? He can float the new roof on a credit card (or two) and apply for a HELOC if he's short on funds. Or if there was a major weather event in the past year, he may even get some of it covered by insurance. Barring a catastrophic medical issue draining his bank account, exactly zero people will feel bad for this owner if he doesn't do what needs to be done here. People don't realize how utterly exhausting it is to convince an owner to do the right and needed thing when it's clear as day to everyone else. Too many cheapskate owners in this business. Good luck!

  • Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y

    @Chris G.

    What kind of roof is this? I mean, is it a simple shape or something more complicated? 4500 ft2 is McMansion territory size-wise, so is it a series of complicated shapes with a hump?

    I just want to know how crazy the owner's plan to apparently strip two layers and reroof the whole thing in his spare time, or patch a roof like that in 6-7 places is, really.

  • Member since 2021 · 132 posts · 37 votes
    4y

    @Jim K. It's actually a simple style roof the home is only 1 story its just a very long house. I got a little more back ground info from the owner today and he spoke with the person he bought it from a few months back. Apparently the previous owner did the double laying and wasn't a professional so that's why with this heavy rain it's causing issues now. The owner I manage it for bought it strictly for an investment so he go surprised by all the issues. Like you mentioned I'm not too sure what he thinks he going to do himself. 

  • Member since 2021 · 132 posts · 37 votes
    4y

    @Thomas Veazey Very true. Seems like out of the 25 owners I have I'm always having to deal with the same 3-4. 

  • Member since 2021 · 132 posts · 37 votes
    4y
    @Edgar Z Whelan

    Thanks for the feedback. While I agree the entire roof doesn't need to be replaced all 3 of the roofing companies said they can't repair due to it being a double layer and wouldn't warranty any repair unless the entire roof was redone. By me having someone attach a couple of tarps on for the meantime that should keep the tenants less upset but without getting the owners permission or to pay there's not much more repairs or fixing I can do. 

  • Real Estate Broker · Hollywood, FL · Member since 2019 · 20 posts · 9 votes
    4y

    It's an unfortunate situation for all parties, landlord, tenant and property manager. But I am going to defend the landlord somewhat. The way I look at it the landlord has the final word after all its his property and his responsibility. Not sure how long you have been managing properties and how long with this specific landlord.  I am not familiar with the contract the landlord entered with your property management company. What does your contract stipulated for these emergency situations? Also when the owner says he is going to fixed it we are all assuming he is going to fixing it himself. Perhaps he wants to handle the negotiations with the roofers. After all its a very costly investment. Perhaps he wants to seek alternative repairs or perhaps he wants to make decisions on the material for the replacement. Also perhaps there is a insurance claim or perhaps a disclosure issue with the previous owners. And perhaps he is not in agreement with the quotes  that he has received. Personally I have a property manager get  me two quotes and the third quote I get it myself. This way there is no bias. For small repairs not an issue. 

    So my suggestion would be to do what's necessary and stop the leak and protect the property and make the tenant happy until the owner gets back to handle the situation per his instructions. 

    A lot of comments have been bashing the landlord. The landlord has been clear of what he wants to do. When he comes back he will deal with it. If a property manager is not happy with the landlord decision then he can quit.  If I understood correctly some are suggesting that the PM cancel or release the tenant from the lease.  It's my understanding the lease is between the landlord and the tenant.

    One final thought its the responsibility of the landlord to take care of the problem or deal with the consequences. 

  • Member since 2021 · 132 posts · 37 votes
    4y

    @Edgar Z Whelan We just got his property a few months back and current tenants have been there about 3 weeks paying 2700 a month. Emergency situations I usually can take care of fast and have before without talking to owner before hand because it needed to be taken care of right away but in this case I can't just hire a roofing company in an emergency situation since there is a large deposit. Yes the owner has made it clear to me he will be fixing it himself. I have all the print outs of all three quotes which break down costs and labor and price differences between the different materials he could choose. The owner is new to hiring property management company and I don't think he knows the importance of these issues. 

  • Los Angeles · Member since 2022 · 97 posts · 96 votes
    4y

    I can't see where most property owners who don't own a roofing business have the ability to personally install a roof on a 4,000 sq ft house and maybe the total footage is 4500 sw ft. In California and probably many other states, it is illegal for a property owner to install a roof on a rental property without a roofing license and permits cannot be obtained without a contractor license for roofing.

  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    4y

    Everyone is assuming the owner is going to replace the roof himself when he comes to town.

    Pretty sure the owner is planning to use tar to patch the leaks!

    Given that it's spring, most roofing companies are gearing up to be busy, so no surprise three of them called do NOT want to waste their time doing a patch job. No surprise either that they won't give a warranty. Did they send pics and specific notes to support  their claims the entire roof needs replacement?

    Instead of calling roofing companies, call an experienced handyman and see what they have to say.

  • Rental Property Investor · Boston, Massachusetts (MA) · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Chris Geer

    I love that he was surprised there were issues :)

    Just a thought to communicate to Mr. Do it Yourself tenants paying 2700 a month have access to lawyers…

    If you tarp it and it stops the leak you have bought yourself and him some time. Seems like that’s what you should do, sounds like he is going to waste it but at that point you can and should wash your hands of this.

    You gave your rec, you dealt with the emergency he didn’t follow it in something like this. Stabilize the property and fire him or take the heat

    If I were the tenants at this point I would be paying rent into an escrow account until it stops leaking and delivering you notice of hearing if I knew he could repair it and was waiting.

    I’d start documentation your communication with the owner if you haven’t already.

  • Contractor · Canton, GA · Member since 2015 · 107 posts · 81 votes
    4y

    @Chris Geer

    Hi Chris,

    Living in Atlanta , I see blue tarps on $700k+ homes for weeks. ( The better ones come in brown and are very durable). Just remember that the primary objective in a rental ,or a home in general, is to protect its occupants from the elements.

    So long as the water stays out , the storm will lie down.

    If the owner makes the repair, tell him of the costs for the alternative.

  • Member since 2022 · 15 posts · 13 votes
    4y

    Owner should have it replaced ASAP.  What happens if owner comes out, repairs it and a few weeks/months later the roof leaks again but this time in a different spot?  The process will have to be repeated but this time it'll be worse for ALL parties. 

  • Member since 2020 · 404 posts · 235 votes
    4y

    Im pretty sure the areas that could be leaking could be repaired but those most large roofing companies won't add another layer onto a double layer. Instead you might need to ask a smaller roofing place who does do repairs. Some of the larger roofing companies you find on yelp don't even bother with repairs since they are so busy during this season and only quote you for a full re-roof. You need to find those guys with little less yelp reviews and smaller one man guy who do repairs. 

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