The pro-active landlord: pay for small problem or let it slide?

[Kyle Mack]

I always stress open lines of communication with my tenant. One evening, he informed me that the water dispenser on the refrigerator stopped working. He kept saying it really wasn't a big deal and not to worry about it, just wanted to let me know what was going on in his unit.

I want to be a pro-active landlord, so I'm on the fence: should I spend time/money trying to fix this (get a repairman or take the time myself) or listen to him and not worry about it?

Have you experienced landlords dealt with small issues bubbling into something huge and regret not fixing it when it was small?

At the same time, it really isn't a big deal and he reassured me that I shouldn't worry about it.

[Schuyler Oliver]

Be what u want to be, pro active! Go fix it ASAP. Your tenant is your customer. U have a opportunity to take care of a minor repair before it morphs into something bigger and show him how good you are which may help u in the future.

If u don't fix it now, you will get a call in future when he wants it fixed... And he won't be patient because it has been broken for so long!

Being proactive is a excellent strategy!