Painting woes

[Stephen E.]

I have a condo unit that had water damage to the ceiling of the master bedroom. The condo corporation dragged its feet but finally got around to sending a painter to paint the ceiling and make it look new. I notified the tenant of the time for the painting and gave them the contact information for the painter. So far, so good.

I then received a series of frantic emails from both tenants (they are a couple) claiming amongst other things that the painter had moved all of their bedroom furniture, leaving everything for them to put back, and that the painter had interfered with personal items. Specifically, they claimed that the painter went through the female tenant's underwear drawer.

My only option as I see it is to look into these claims and write to the condominium board relating the tenant's complaints. The painters worked for the condominium corporation, not for me. The emails from the tenants are evidently written in a state of some agitation and are not entirely coherent. It is not clear precisely what went on but the broad outlines are as above. 

I am thinking I should go over to inspect the paint job and hear the tenants out in regard to their complaint, listening specifically for evidence that would back up their claims of violation of privacy. In one email the tenant made some reference to not wanting to live there any more. It was in the heat of the moment but this unit was difficult to rent last time and I would like to postpone a turnover as long as possible. Their family is growing in size and they will likely need a larger unit in the next year regardless  of current events.

I want to act reasonably and to cover all the bases. The complaints are unusual and I suspect evidence if any is likely going to be circumstantial. I should add that one of the tenants took it upon himself to call the painting firm engaged by the condominium corporation and to level these accusations to the owner. By the tenant's account the owner did not take it very well; the tenant claims that the owner swore repeatedly at him and that he threatened him with legal action for slander. The tenant is unclear on what he himself said during this heated conversation.

Does anyone have any better ideas than the ones above? If they are dissatisfied with a letter to the condominium corporation should I suggest that they contact the police and see what they make of it?

[Nicole A.]

I don't think you should get too terribly involved....as in, don't go out of your way for them. They seem....dramatic...and possibly exaggerating. How exactly are they so sure the underwear drawer was gone through? Why did they decide to allow the painter there without them? If they don't trust people, perhaps they should have stayed home while this project was completed.

I would not suggest to them to call the police. What exactly do they think the police will do? So their furniture was out of place...annoying, sure. Big deal? No. Apparently their...underwear drawer was invaded and well, I just don't know what to tell you about that.

Have these tenants been dramatic in the past? 

Also, they have no grounds really to move out, so I wouldn't even respond to that heat-of-the-moment comment of not wanting to live there.