Investor · Mount Vernon, WA · Member since 2014 · 7 posts · 1 vote
Hello,
Going to start renting out my first property very soon. I am dotting the I's and crossing the T's to get ready.
I was wondering, is it legal to charge tenants a "maintenance charge" (obviously I would write this into the lease) of say $50 or $100 every time somebody needs to come out to the property for a maintenance issue. I would not be doing it to make extra money, I would do it to avoid constant phone calls about unclogging a toilet, changing batteries in smoke detectors, changing lightbulbs, small things like that.
I have seen this suggestion in other posts on BP. Also, I am specifically wondering if it is legal in Washington State. I could not find anything in our states Landlord/Tenant law, so landlords familiar with WA law would be helpful. Our state is very "tenant friendly" in our Landlord/Tenant law.
I get very few calls and have 14 rentals. I would worry that the charge would discourage tenants from calling and a broken toilet flap left unrepaired can leave you with a several hundred dollar water bill. You want your tenants to have open communication with you. Also, I use changing the batteries in the smoke detectors as my reason for an annual inspection. Please let me know if you have any qestions.
I get very few calls and have 14 rentals. I would worry that the charge would discourage tenants from calling and a broken toilet flap left unrepaired can leave you with a several hundred dollar water bill. You want your tenants to have open communication with you. Also, I use changing the batteries in the smoke detectors as my reason for an annual inspection. Please let me know if you have any qestions.
Last thing you want is tenants not calling you. Putting a $50 charge on a call out will ensure you won't hear from them. Replacing that rotted out bathroom floor because the tenant didn't want to bother you about a leaking toilet because he'd be charged $50 - you'll have wished otherwise about that charge.
As a hands on landlord, I enjoy getting asked to do routine maintenance as it gives a chance to see your property. Had one a few days ago, recepticle gone out, drove over and reset breaker. Tenant was mortified. I wasn't as it gave me a chance to make an informal and cursory check of the apartment.
Knute Olsen
Agree with all comments. Either they won't call at all or they will try and fix it themselves. Neither of which I want happening in my rental properties.
Good luck!
As a young renter, I was the one calling landlords about replacing lightbulbs and beeping smoke detectors. I figured it's their house, they own it, they go down to Lowe's and spend $5 replacing it.