Reimbursing tenant for unusable bathroom?

Member since 2020 · 19 posts · 5 votes

Hi all ,

Our downstairs tenant reached out because their bathroom ceiling had water damage and was leaking, come to find out the upstairs toilet has been loose and leaking which we were not aware of unfortunately.

My husband plans to resolve the issue this weekend but we will need to take up old flooring and put down new flooring. He plans to get it done over the weekend but the bathroom will not be usable and it’s a 1 bath unit.

Should we reimburse the tenant at all for not being able to stay there ? I figured 100$ is fair which is the daily cost of rent for 3 days. We have never encountered an issue like this before so not sure what the norm is ?

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Greg M.

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

If someone gave me a gift card and told me to shower at the rec center, I'd make their life hell.

A one bathroom without the bathroom is not legally habitable. I'd take (rent/30 days)x(number of days without a bathroom) as the starting point for a credit. I'd add a little on top of it for the inconvenience.

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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
4y
Are they going to be there? With no bathroom in a home with only one bedroom, you may want to put them up at a hotel for one night. Ask about an early check in, so he can get it done as quickly as possible.
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Kristen P.
OP
Member since 2020 · 19 posts · 5 votes
4y
@Theresa Harris they will be staying with family but we offered to help with a hotel
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
4y
I wouldn't have been that generous. What would you do if this happened to you? I suspect you'd figure it out, which is exactly what your tenant did. If they're staying with family, there's no need for you to reimburse anything.
I usually give them a gift card ($10 per day) to the local rec center where they can shower (and have access to the pool, gym, etc.) and they can use a local gas station for restrooms.
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Jim K.
Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
4y
@Kristen P.

I'm generally MUCH more generous than @Nathan Gesner in this situation, probably because I do my own maintenance and this very rarely happens to me, and also because I do my own renovations. I would put them up in a hotel room for three days.
Since they're going to be staying with family, I would cut them $300 off the cost of their next rent.
But once your husband gets into it, it's possible that all kinds of crap will come to light. He'll know after the first day of demo if my approach is too expensive.
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Kristen P.
OP
Member since 2020 · 19 posts · 5 votes
4y
@Jim K. Thanks for the input. We do all of our own maintenance and renovations as well for the most part so we would definitely feel more comfortable with a similar approach.
My husbands initial thought was $300 off rent as well
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Kristen P.
OP
Member since 2020 · 19 posts · 5 votes
4y
@Nathan G.
@Nathan G. Thanks Nathan , appreciate the input. You are correct , we would have to figure it out although I probably wouldn’t be too excited about using gas station bathrooms for a few days lol.
Since it’s our only property that we maintain ourselves we like to maintain good relationships with our tenants so would prefer to find a happy medium. I do agree that this approach is fair though.
1 Reply
Matt Devincenzo
Investor · Clairemont, CA · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4y
I've fortunately not had this specific scenario yet, but my two options I've given myself are 1) if it is totally unusable I'll offer to rebate the number of days for the tenant at a prorated rent on next month's rent they can choose to spend their savings on a hotel or they can stay with someone else it's 100% their choice (I don't want to pay for a hotel since then we have to agree on what standard of hotel is acceptable) 2) If it is partially useable and they are willing to be accommodating like Nathan said I'd provide a gift card or two for dinner etc.
You say they only have 1 bathroom which is downstairs, but also a toilet upstairs. And since flooring etc needs replacement it sounds like that is upstairs around the toilet...why can't they use the downstairs bathroom then while you work upstairs? I assume this is one unit? Or are there two units and two tenants?
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Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
4y
If someone gave me a gift card and told me to shower at the rec center, I'd make their life hell.
A one bathroom without the bathroom is not legally habitable. I'd take (rent/30 days)x(number of days without a bathroom) as the starting point for a credit. I'd add a little on top of it for the inconvenience.
6 Reply
Kristen P.
OP
Member since 2020 · 19 posts · 5 votes
4y
@Matt Devincenzo
This is actually a 2 unit property , bathrooms are stacked but the downstairs bathroom is a separate unit. Downstairs will just need Sheetrock repair so that will remain usable
But I completely agree with what you said , I think mentioning a hotel can be tricky so I agree with just the set reimbursement amount
0 Reply
Kristen P.
OP
Member since 2020 · 19 posts · 5 votes
4y
@Greg M. That’s what I was thinking as well , and totally agree! If it were me in that position I would get a hotel or stay with family
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Andrew B.
Rockaway, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4y
My personal policy that is that if something makes the unit uninhabitable (lack of bathroom means the unit is not habitable) I put the tenant in a hotel/airbnb, OR I refund rent for the days it is not habitable.
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Matt M.
Specialist · Easton, PA · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4y
@Nathan Gesner

I always enjoy reading your responses to posts as you are full of experience, wisdom, and great advice. It made me kinda sad you’d offer tenants to use a gas station bathroom and shower at the local YMCA basically. While I know stuff happens and so do the need for repairs that may be inconvenient, I’d be extremely insulted and upset if I was your tenant. I will still respect your future comments and posts!

I’m more with @Jim K. on this one.
1 Reply
Matthew Paul
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
4y
I would tell them to hold it for the weekend .
3 Reply
Jim K.
Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Matthew Paul:

I would tell them to hold it for the weekend .

Yes, ladies and gents, this is why I come here. Matt wins the thread.
1 Reply
Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
4y
I can't see a hotel costing $300 if $100 = 3 days' rent. Give them $50 as they are staying with family.
0 Reply
Pat GoodyearPro Member
Syracuse, NY · Member since 2015 · 77 posts · 48 votes
4y
@Kristen P. Do they have renters insurance and would it cover a hotel?
1 Reply
Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Matt M.:

@Nathan Gesner

I always enjoy reading your responses to posts as you are full of experience, wisdom, and great advice. It made me kinda sad you’d offer tenants to use a gas station bathroom and shower at the local YMCA basically. While I know stuff happens and so do the need for repairs that may be inconvenient, I’d be extremely insulted and upset if I was your tenant. I will still respect your future comments and posts!

I’m more with @Jim K. on this one.

I respect that. I think of it this way: what would happen if this were my house? I would use friends or family and figure it out. Nobody is at fault and the tenant has a place to go, so why would they need compensation? Who compensates me when I get a flat tire or my bathroom becomes inoperable or my child is diagnosed with cancer?

Life comes with sharp corners. I empathize, I compensate when necessary, but I also expect people to adult. His tenants already have a solution of staying with familt, so nothing more is needed.
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Billy Smith
Shawnee Mission, KS · Member since 2016 · 716 posts · 313 votes
4y
I try to have a close relationship with tenants and I do. I always ask is everything all right a toilet that moves around I would want to know about. I would let them know that I need to be told of such issues. So, moving forward they hopefully grasp the concept what is broken I should know because it can add up to thousands of dollars. My first tenant ever had a leaking kitchen drain that went on for months did 2k in damage I kicked her out.

I would discount it how much I would have to scribble it out. If I have to get them into a motel I would.

I would go over that day start demo that’s just how I roll. Then hire my handyman to put it back together and help him help him to get done quicker keep cost down, not always just depends what level of action this needs. This is an emergency so I would go to get it done mode ASAP!
0 Reply
Ron Brady
Rental Property Investor · Burlington County, NJ · Member since 2019 · 540 posts · 771 votes
4y
We had an inhabitability issue and we prorated rent for 3 days so the tenant could use those funds to pay for part of a hotel.
0 Reply
Matt M.
Specialist · Easton, PA · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Quote from @Matt M.:

@Nathan Gesner

I always enjoy reading your responses to posts as you are full of experience, wisdom, and great advice. It made me kinda sad you’d offer tenants to use a gas station bathroom and shower at the local YMCA basically. While I know stuff happens and so do the need for repairs that may be inconvenient, I’d be extremely insulted and upset if I was your tenant. I will still respect your future comments and posts!

I’m more with @Jim K. on this one.

I respect that. I think of it this way: what would happen if this were my house? I would use friends or family and figure it out. Nobody is at fault and the tenant has a place to go, so why would they need compensation? Who compensates me when I get a flat tire or my bathroom becomes inoperable or my child is diagnosed with cancer?

Life comes with sharp corners. I empathize, I compensate when necessary, but I also expect people to adult. His tenants already have a solution of staying with familt, so nothing more is needed.

Nathan, what would you do either professionally or one of yours if the bathroom was out a few days and they had no where to go? Still the local gym and gas station bathrooms? Even if they have kids? I hope to not ever have to put someone up in a hotel, but I would.
0 Reply
Scott JohnsonBusiness Member
Specialist · Greenville, NC · Member since 2019 · 673 posts · 408 votes
4y
@Kristen P., technically we're supposed to provide for a habitable residence, and a bathroom that's not functional means it's not habitable if it's the only one. If they're staying there because "ewe gross", then that doesn't change the fact the bathroom is still useable and therefore is still habitable.

@Nathan Gesner is correct in the "ewe gross" scenario, but if it wasn't habitable I'd help out to show that I'm fulfilling my end of the lease here in NC.
If you were to give them anything, I would not give them money. I would give them a credit on their rent for however much you deem necessary. It's one less receipt to deal with, it's trackable, and I still have full control over the money.
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Scott Mac
Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
4y
Given the circumstances of the renter during the repair period the $300 seems like a good business decision = (not charging rent during a time when the unit is non-operable as a legal rental).
If they did not have the option of staying with a relative (not everyone can--new to the area, etc...) then the closest Motel seems like a reasonable offer.
I think it comes down to the rental experience that you want to (or need to) offer the renter (in your market for that property class) to hopefully retain them long term (excessive turns are a money eater).
Some areas and some renters are way more self sufficient than others who are used to having everything in life handed to them.
Self reliant Wyoming-ens might have a different attitude (or needs) than some of the more urban renters, hence the different (profitable there) business practices (which reminds me of this song)... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cQNkIrg-Tk
Just my 2 cents.
1 Reply
Conn G.
Rental Property Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2019 · 120 posts · 68 votes
4y
As a landlord, you need to provide your tenant a unit that is habitable. Whether that is a hotel room for a couple nights, gym membership, or nothing at all, talk with tenant and communicate effectively.
0 Reply
Matt Lyons
Rental Property Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2019 · 109 posts · 443 votes
4y
@Kristen P. I would do a rent credit as a per day amount which the apartment can’t be used. So if they can’t use it for three days give them a three day credit
0 Reply
William Powell
Member since 2023 · 122 posts · 68 votes
3y
I wouldn't get into reimbursing tenants for headaches and repair issues. It's no ones fault. The best thing you can do is fix the problem quickly and send some guys over to their unit to repair any damages to the carpet and sheetrock. As far as paying tenants for damages, to their stuff, or money they spent using other bathroom sources, I say no. Recently I had a tenants stove pop and make black smoke over the weekend. So three days (Fri-Tues) to get over to the unit and replace the stove. Tenant complained of spending money eating out but I didn't reimburse the tenant's eating expense I merely fixed her problem as quickly and as tentatively as I could. Thats what they want anyways. Someone who will listen to their maintenance issue, tell them when it will be fixed and fix it at that time.
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