easton, PA · Member since 2015 · 45 posts · 19 votes
Hey BP Community!
So here is the scenario:
Our tenant informed us on Monday night that their oven wasn't working properly. My husband immediately went to the unit to check it out. He agreed with the tenant that the oven was getting much hotter than the set temperature. On Tuesday morning (yesterday) he called the maintenance man, he was able to check the oven same day. He explained to us that the oven is old and the part needed to fix oven is no longer manufactured and that he advises that we invest in a new oven. Today, we are placing an order for a new oven and the tenants will have it as soon as Sears is able to deliver and install.
The particular tenant is currently going through a difficult financial time and I am expecting them to ask for a discount as they will be without a properly working oven. We addressed the problem immediately and have a new oven ordered within 48 hours of the complaint.
So my question is, If tenant does ask for a discount to the rent, what is the proper way to handle this, and what would other BP members do? I do not feel that they should get a discount as we are fixing the problem but I am curious as to what you all think.
No, they should not get a discount. And don't mention anything about it especially since they haven't said anything yet.
You addressed the problem quickly. Plus, an oven is not something that drastically changes your life to lose for a few days. They're getting a brand new appliance out of this.
I'd go with a gift card and a Christmas card. Great job on the response time. I wish more landlords were that responsive to maintenance issues. Last time I rented I had a waterfall coming through my ceiling for 2 weeks before they moved me to a new apartment.
@Elizabeth Schellhammer as stated above if it is not brought up then disregard it. You handled it in a responsive matter so no need for discount in my opinion.
I don't understand all the references to landlords not repairing their property in a timely manner!? I rented as a young adult (18-22 years old), and NEVER had an issue with maintenance requests being postponed. As a landlord, I signed a contract agreeing to provide a unit that was habitable, and maintain the unit as if I lived there. If they call and say something is broken, it gets repaired. When the stove goes out, I call Lowes and a new one is there the next day if needed. Same with any appliance provided, with the exception of on "beer fridge" (older fridge that came with the house I bought). The "beer fridge" was provided with the clause that when it broke, it would not be replaced, and I would handle the haul away. It blows my mind that someone would invest thousands into a place, then let it begin a slide into ruin...