The AC went out and needs to be replaced in my Florida condo within the first month tenants are renting it, complete with 3 visits from HVAC before the new unit is even installed.
Would it be expected or normal to offer some form of credit to offset the inconvenience? Obviously I feel badly about it, and the tenants are angry. When things like pipes burst, major appliances die, or mold remediation is needed during tenant occupancy, is it just too-bad-so-sad for the renters?
(Please no "should have" judgement - we owned the place for a month with the AC working perfectly leading up to tenants coming in, and we had a formal inspection as part of the purchase process, of course. The system was 7 years old.)
My one concern about doing the "nice" thing is that these are big time problem tenants. In a different post I explain about how they have complained and asked for maintenance non stop, and how they routinely overstep their boundaries by trying to demand orders for things that are landlord decisions. I worry a discount this month will set precedent.
Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
3y
We get the unit fixed or replaced within a few days; so, no compensation necessary. I've had a couple go longer over the years and had a window unit for those occasions.
Things happen. If something happened that the house couldn't be lived in for a few days, I'd expect their insurance to deal with it and if not, I'd help them a bit. It really comes down the you and what you want to do. I had a fridge that we were replacing (other one worked, but was really old and on its last legs) and delivery was a nightmare through no fault of the tenant and the company had to reschedule 3 times. I ended up giving the tenants $100.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Aloha,
Who compensates YOU when YOUR AC goes out?
If it were a major scheduled item, such as a condo re-piping, or tenting for termites, then yes, we would make allowances. But as long as you are timely with your efforts; within any time frame required by local law for repairs; and using a properly licensed and insured contractor...there is no reason other than to make yourself feel good. You are performing your job by getting the work done. I would question 3 visits prior to install, but depends on the symptoms and repairs or troubleshooting done during those visits. If they have Renters Insurance, it may cover a hotel, but that is their choice. If they have "medical" need for AC, was this issue ever raised prior to move in? I doubt it.
Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
3y
We get the unit fixed or replaced within a few days; so, no compensation necessary. I've had a couple go longer over the years and had a window unit for those occasions.
Slippery slope. I don't get into the habit of paying tenants for things that go wrong in the course of living in a home or unit. I fix the problem fast as I can. In any case, if they owned their own property who pay them if the air went out or a shutoff burst? Even my current home has problems that I need to address and haven't because when I get home I don't feel like messing with repairs unless they are serious issues. Tenants sometimes can have expectations that are a little unreasonable. No property is perfect and the good tenants know that.