Investor · Mexico, ME · Member since 2014 · 6 posts · 1 vote
Has anyone had experience with having no heat or hot water in a building?
We have a natural gas system and the pump broke yesterday. We had the guy come service it but the part won't be in till tomorrow. We live in Maine and it's getting pretty cold out. We brought our tenants some space heaters, but we have no idea what to do about the hot water.
Other than discounting their rent this month, is there anything else we can do?
Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
They'll survive and can heat water up in a pot on the stove,, showers well ya that's the breaks.
if you want you can give a concession for the down time, it's just a part of ownership and some things are just not expected,, at least it's not 50 below and your worrying about frozen pipes,,
If they ask say yes if they don't ,, don't worry..
Important is you responded quickly and service is being completed.
Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
They'll survive and can heat water up in a pot on the stove,, showers well ya that's the breaks.
if you want you can give a concession for the down time, it's just a part of ownership and some things are just not expected,, at least it's not 50 below and your worrying about frozen pipes,,
If they ask say yes if they don't ,, don't worry..
Important is you responded quickly and service is being completed.
Rental Property Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
As long as you are doing all you can to get things repaired asap the tenants will have to understand. I'd use rent credit as a last resort. Buildings are not perfect and these issues do happen. If you were ignoring the problem that would be a whole different story but you aren't.
Do not jump in with a rent credit offer, most tenants are understanding and will endure. Suggest they boil water on the stove for hot water. This is just part of the business and rarely necessary to compensate tenants for minor issues. Imagine if it happen at your own place, you would manage.
Many landlords automatically assume throwing money at a tenant is their only option, this is rarely the case and not necessary.
Portland, ME · Member since 2012 · 616 posts · 550 votes
9y
If you give them a rent credit now, they'll expect it for every little thing. I've had this happen on a frigid night and loaned the tenants space heaters and apologized profusely. Just make sure they understand you are waiting for a part and didn't simply forget to pay the gas bill.
What kind of boiler is it? I heard it's hard to get parts for Navien and a lot of them have been installed in LA the last few years. I'm buying a building with a Navien boiler, it kind of scares me!
Investor · Mexico, ME · Member since 2014 · 6 posts · 1 vote
9y
Thank you all for the responses. The tenants haven't said anything about a discount so I guess we'll just not mention it.
We have a Biasi. It was already installed when we bought the building. It's the second problem we'be had with it in as many years and the local service guys don't care parts for this brand so we'be had to wait a while both times.
I think before we buy the next building we will be asking these guys what they think of what ever heating system is installed.