Help! I have a "High Maintenance" Tenant

Help! I have a "High Maintenance" Tenant

Investor · Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2013 · 198 posts · 25 votes

Background:

I have a tenant who has been renting for about 10 months.  She is a retired probation officer and currently works part-time with one of local city governments in the traffic court division.  When she first moved in she had a laundry list of items she wanted repaired.  For the first 2-3 months of her occupancy I received a weekly email asking for something new to be fixed/repairs/replaced, etc.  Granted, I'm on the high end as far as rent and amenities in the area...ie-stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, granite countertops.

First, it was the tub reglaze paint was chipped and she felt it was a health hazard and would get in her "woman parts."  She asked that I reglaze the tub.  I denied her request to reglaze the tub.  

Then, she said the stainless steel oven stovetop was bent causing her gas burner to cook her food unevenly.  This was SUPER important since the beautiful kitchen was one of the main reasons she rented my unit and wanted it fixed because she cooks a lot.

Then the kitchen sink pull down/out faucet would toggle between a shower sray and stream spray. I replaced the whole faucet for her

Next, she wanted a laundry room washer drain stack installed (I've owned the building for two years and everyone just runs the washer drain hose to the drain in the floor).  She stated it was not in code to not have one. I denied her request stating I've passed multiple occupancy inspections and this has never been an issue.  The building is over 60 years old.

She pulled the ceiling fan chain out.  She wanted a brand new fan...my handyman replaced the broken chain.

Last month, she dropped a wine bottle on the kitchen tile floor damaging two tiles. She would like them replaced, but she takes responsibility.

She complained that I didn't have the snow removed quick enough last week citing in her lease that I'm responsible for it's removal.

Now I receive two separate email with the attached pictures. One of the plaster/drywall/skim coat cracking or falling off above the shower tile.  And another email requesting that I reglaze the tub...again citing health concerns due to the paint chips when she takes a bath.

She has literally almost had a maintenance concern almost every month.  She has access to lawyers doing her part-time work in the city courts.  How to our deal with her without going broke honoring all her repair request.  I pride myself on being a very responsive and great landlord, but at some point it's just a rental and an investment I intend to make money one.

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Charlotte, NC · Member since 2015 · 17 posts · 10 votes
11y

I'm going to be the one to rock the boat here.  

For the tub:  Go to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy a nice respirator.  Knock on the door and go to inspect the tub.   Hand her the respirator and let her know she will have to wear that while she is in the unit for at least 72 hours and the tub people will be there in the morning, unless she's not comfortable with the mask.   Proceed to touch up the tub with appliance repair epoxy.  It actually matches and is durable.  No lady-part damage.   I've had to do something similar in the past.  

The stove:  it doesn't cook unevenly, she does.  Spin the pan, Rachel Ray.  

If all else fails, exercise the Happy Clause.  Let her move out with no penalty and full deposit back, minus any damage (like the tile floor).  That usually puts a stop to the nitpicking.  

Some people just can't help but to be a pain in the ***.  They're not happy until you're not happy.  And they're still unhappy.  Once in a while you have to fight fire with fire and just be a jerk.  There is a difference between being a great, responsive landlord and a concierge.  You're about halfway there. She's training you.

See this reply in the discussion

53 Replies

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  • Investor · Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2013 · 198 posts · 25 votes
    11y
  • Greenwood, IN · Member since 2013 · 346 posts · 93 votes
    11y

    Check your laws.

    In most states, you are only requires to provide safe,adequate housing.

    Heat, electric, proper plumbing, no leaks etc. The basics.

    Everything else, is usually at digression of the landlord. She rented the place "as is" if these things were important to her, then they should of been addressed before signing the lease.

    I would fix anything that is a safety risk first. After that, if you want to do a few small things for her, that you don't have to do, to establish goodwill, then fine. After that, I would not do any updates/upgrades/ or fixes, where she admits she caused the damage.

    If she complains, then say you have the option of breaking our lease, but I will be taking security deposit as damages, for turnover costs/re renting.

  • Delaware, OH · Member since 2014 · 16 posts · 2 votes
    11y

    I second @Gabe Gordon on this one.

    Dave

  • Investor · Middletown, NJ · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    I would tell her I don't renovate, just repair. And the cracked paint/skim coat above the shower can definitely get worse with humidity if you don't repair it.

    The shower glaze - no. We have a couple of units in the same condition, and it's noted on the lease when they do the walkthrough. They are not held responsible, but we will not reglaze during their tenancy; at least not for a couple of years unless it gets worse.

    For breaking the tiles, she would have to pay for the repair.

    If her lease is ending in 2 months, simply don't renew it. Fix the stove, the skim coat and consider glazing the tub for the next tenant, but clearly this tenant is just looking for things to complain about and it won't end. Give her the proper notice and say goodbye.

  • Investor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 708 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Gabe G.:

    Check your laws.

    In most states, you are only requires to provide safe,adequate housing.

    Heat, electric, proper plumbing, no leaks etc. The basics.

    Everything else, is usually at digression of the landlord. She rented the place "as is" if these things were important to her, then they should of been addressed before signing the lease.

    I would fix anything that is a safety risk first. After that, if you want to do a few small things for her, that you don't have to do, to establish goodwill, then fine. After that, I would not do any updates/upgrades/ or fixes, where she admits she caused the damage.

    If she complains, then say you have the option of breaking our lease, but I will be taking security deposit as damages, for turnover costs/re renting.

     I have such a tenant too and I find that doing "a few small things to establish goodwill" tends to backfire with such folks and just encourages (actually it basically guarantees) additional requests.  I do agree, of course, promptly fix anything safety related.

  • Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2014 · 659 posts · 536 votes
    11y

    If she doesn't like the apartment and you don't mind getting it ready for another tenant, then just let it play out.  I would fix the wall though.

    You don't need to stress over her requests.  Just tell her what you will and won't do.

    Just an fyi...  I do not use coatings over tubs anymore.  I have been known to strip them off which is a real pain in the ***.  I usually replace the tub and put in a new shower wall.  The coatings just don't last.

  • Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y

    As far as reglazing, explain that this is not something that can be done while the unit is occupied, since the chemicals involved are noxious. And even getting past the chemical issue, there is a cure time of several days needed before the tub could be used again. Of course, she will want you to put her up in a hotel like the Ritz for a week :)

  • Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y

    Regarding that patch on the wall. Is there an exhaust fan in that bathroom? Does the tenant use the exhaust fan if there is one?

  • Real Estate Investor · Longview, TX · Member since 2015 · 122 posts · 62 votes
    11y

    If you are getting higher end rent than you will have to put up with her, unless you know the place will rent quickly when you choose to not renew the lease.

    Me personally I would dump her, especially after the stove thing. My food cooks unevenly....really?

  • Investor · Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2013 · 198 posts · 25 votes
    11y

    I appreciate all the responses.  She stated in her email that she's okay not utilizing the shower for several days if I choose to reglaze the tub.  

    I plan on repairing the shower area.  It appears as if an old area of skim coating is coming loose.

    @Steve Babiak   There is no exhaust fan in the bathroom.  It's the old 60's style build with brick exterior and window in the actual shower tub area.

  • Investor · Middletown, NJ · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    The tenant cannot really be in the unit when the tub/shower is reglazed. As Steve said, the smell is pretty intense. Our glazer vents the whole bathroom out onto the terraces of the condos when he does them and again, it has to cure.

    I can only imagine what your tenant will be complaining about after it's done - chemical poisoning, at the least!

  • Investor · Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2013 · 198 posts · 25 votes
    11y

    Ya, the first two months of her tenancy it was literally every couple of days....I tried to be very receptive and proactive to her request to demonstrate that I was a great landlord and establish goodwill.  However, this is just getting ridiculous...

    I'm probably too nice of a guy, lol

    Would you guys recommend responding to hear in a email just telling her to basically back off a bit?!?

  • Jean BolgerPro Member
    Aurora, CO · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Yep a proper reglaze is a long and toxic/smelly job. But you can get a little bottle of porcelain patch and go over the chips for her maybe. It won't last forever but it should  protect her "woman parts" (BTW that's about the funniest thing I've read on BP in a while- what does she get up to in that bath anyway?)

    Unfortunately you must have gotten a poor job done on that reglaze. I've had them last quite well, but it's all in how good the prep work is done, I think.

  • Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    11y

    Bathtub, white fingernail polish with a clear coat on top .   Broken floor tiles , fix now , give her the bill .  Drywall that looks like there is an underlying problem , check it out . 

  • Rental Property Investor · Superior, WI · Member since 2014 · 29 posts · 10 votes
    11y

    @Rick L. I would fix the skim coating in the bathroom, because that will only get worse and cause you more damage.  The tiles I would leave unless they are a safety hazard, such as someone would get cut or trip walking on.  Then I would replace, obviously out of her security deposit.  As far as the tub, I would leave it.  It does not appear that it is too large to even worry about, Unless she is picking at it, it usually does not get bigger, if the reglazing was done right in the first place.  I think you take care of any safety or life endangering issues first.  The rest consider her offers, if it is something you feel reasonable and you want to do it, then go ahead.  All others, wait until she leaves and go through and do the changes you want then, otherwise, when new tenants go through make sure they fill out a condition report of the house, when they come in and when they leave.  

    Good luck, high maintenance is never fun.  

    Tonia

  • Investor · Birmingham, AL · Member since 2011 · 46 posts · 59 votes
    11y

    I would be blunt with her.  Call and tell her that you cannot live up to her high expectations. Remind her that she saw the unit before she rented. Ask her if she wants to move.  I will let a tenant out of their lease early if they are less than desirable. If she does not want to move, she is just taking advantage of your niceness. Stop it. LOL

  • Investor · Hampton Roads, VA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 418 votes
    11y

    This is why I like renters with full time jobs.  They are too busy to complain about dumb stuff.  I agree with the others.  

  • Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2015 · 570 posts · 521 votes
    11y

    This is the same tenant you posted about the broken tiles?

    Without a doubt now for sure, I'd be replacing the entire floor at charging her for it, she should have no problem with understanding the issue with the pattern not being able to be matched since she is such a perfectionist in everything she requests you to do.

    As far as the tub, reglazers also do chip repairs, in Denver chip repairs will fall under my reglazers minimum charge of 2 hours or $150.00. I wouldn't go down the road of trying to lie to her about smells, keep things honest. The smells will only be there for a little while, once the chips are repaired it's over with.

    As far as what to do with her, the answer to me is obvious, she will be getting a huge rent increase on her lease renewal, if she is month to month, the rent increase would be even sooner.

    Sure she is a pain, but if you can recoup the floor out of her pocket, increase the rent then there are worse things, if she pays on time and takes care of the place that is worth something as long as you can increase the rent to deal with her PITA factor.

  • Mark AinleyBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Roselle, IL (Chicago Suburb) · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    @rick 

    @Rick L. undefined

    Rick L. My experience with a tenant like this is don't challenge her. I would simply follow thru with the lease and give her 60 day notice that you will not be renewing and maybe even tell her you or a family member wil be moving in next so she doesn't take it as an insult even though you are getting rid of her cause she is a pain. Better not to be honest in this case.  

    I would get a better exhaust for the bathroom too cause that isn't normal.  

  • Wholesaler · Holiday, FL · Member since 2013 · 571 posts · 221 votes
    11y

    I don't now if it's true in this case - but I can tell you that a stove which is not level is the devil to cook on well.  And an out-of-level oven is even worse to bake in.  Cakes are uneven, custards or creme brule' are uneven and then cook uneven besides due to the water bath.  If the stove/oven is not level I would consider that a reasonable complaint.

    stephen
    -----------------


     Originally posted by @Jonathan Key:

     . . . .  I would dump her, especially after the stove thing.   My food cooks unevenly....really?

  • Dawn AnastasiPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

    I wouldn't know how to make anything that sounds remotely like "brule".  If it doesn't come out of a bag, pouch, can, or box, I generally don't cook it.  My microwave gets way more use than my oven does.

  • Investor · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2014 · 68 posts · 12 votes
    11y

    my food cooks unevenly? Seriously? Write a 60 day notice. 

    You get yourself a tenant that would never be happy no matter what you do. 

  • Mooringsport, LA · Member since 2014 · 25 posts · 31 votes
    11y

    I made Creme brule' for my wife once and it turned out great , the best part is the smell in the house if you use real vanilla. Sorry for the food derail!

  • Mark AinleyBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Roselle, IL (Chicago Suburb) · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    @Rick L. You will never regret ending her tenancy but you may very well regret keeping her any longer.  

  • Real Estate Investor · Longview, TX · Member since 2015 · 122 posts · 62 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Mark Ainley:

    @Rick L. You will never regret ending her tenancy but you may very well regret keeping her any longer.  

     Indeed Sir.

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