Tenant neglect/ water damages

[Hattie Glanders]

I have a tenant that broke a garbage disposal by continuing to use it with a spoon stuck in there until it burnt out.  They never notified us and the spoon caused the disposal to deteriorate and leak which caused severe water damage to the cabinets underneath.  They knew about the leak for several months before notifying us (bucket underneath that they empty out).  Can we charge them for the broken disposal/water damages?

[Thomas S.]

Yes, have a contractor do all the repair work and bill the tenant the full amount. It is tenant caused damage and they are fully responsible.

Do not do any repair work yourself.