Tenant Maintenance: What Items Should Your Tenant Know How To Do?

Question

The power went out at my house this morning. No big deal, we were planning on walking to school anyway. On the way back, we passed a neighbor, who couldn't take her kids to school because her car was in the garage. We told her how to disconnect the door from the opener so she could open it without electricity.

I can see a tenant calling the landlord in a situation like this. But if you show them how to disconnect the door from the opener, perhaps you could avoid a phone call.

Which got me thinking about a list of things to share with tenants to avoid phone calls like how to light pilot light, how to reset a blown circuit, etc.

No, I don't want them taking matters into their own hands for big repairs, but a few little things can make both your lives easier.

So, what do you show your tenants how to do? What do you wish they knew? What are some dumb calls you've received?

Linda Weygant · Answer

Here's what I've taught a couple of tenants over the years.

1.  The refrigerator light bulb is not the same size as your lamp bulb.  I showed the tenant the various sized bulbs in their house from the fixtures to the appliances to the candelabra chandelier.  They were amazed.  Literally this tenant was trying to tape the regular lamp bulb into the refrigerator socket.

2.  Jiggle the toilet handle when the toilet is running.  If that doesn't shut it off, open up the tank and unwrap the chain.  Had to show the tenant that the tank water is not the same as the bowl water and it's ok to stick your hand in there.

3.  How to plunge a toilet.  Yes, he was young and out on his own the first time, but I was shocked that a 24 year old person had never plunged a toilet in his life.

4.  How to buy and use Drano.

5.  How to change a furnace filter.  (To be fair, I didn't really know about this until I became a landlord and a service person showed me.  My ex-husband always took care of this, apparently in stealth mode because I swear I never saw it)

6.  How to open a window (the catches were admittedly a little tricky)

7.  How to replace the screen in a frame.  I did this after they locked themselves out and they cut the screen to get back in.  I guess it was better than ruining the frame to get it out instead.  But we sat together and I directed them on how to do it.  Then lecture to call me for a lockout rather than break in and a reminder they are responsible for that kind of damage.

8.  If you're cleaning the gas stove and you bump one of the knobs, odds are good you're going to smell gas.  Turn off the knob and open a window.

9.  How to open the top of a stove to clean under the burners.  How to remove the catch trays under the burners and put them in the dishwasher.  Mind almost literally blown.

10.  How to remove the drawers in a refrigerator and clean them out and underneath.

Some of these happened during the move out inspection.  I give them the opportunity to either pay me to do the cleaning (like the fridge and stove stuff) or I show them how to remove the things they need to in order to get at the stuff that's dirty and try again and I'll come back to reinspect.  One woman said "I always wondered why I get charged so much when I move out.  I always thought I was cleaning good."  Talked about it and showed her things like dirty baseboards too.  She didn't really know or understand how all of that was supposed to look at move out.

That's not an indictment of her in particular.  I think it's actually pretty common.  You learn to clean by watching the people who raised you.  If they didn't know how or where to look at stuff, then odds are you don't get it either.  Cleaning blinds and baseboards and bottoms of fridges just doesn't come naturally to a lot of folks.

Shaun C. · Answer

I'm down with tenants that know how to use Google and YouTube to search for solutions to their problems and not making them mine. I'm not their mom or dad. I'm more than happy to show them how to do things if I ever drop by and have to fix something; but beyond that, everything is on the internet. Look it up.

Brandon Jeanmarie · Answer

I take time to educate my tenants on the property, like where is the breaker panel and how you turn off the water. I find this minimizes calls and it prevents little issues from turning to big issues. I also tell my tenant to call/text me any issues even ones they think are small. For example I had a tenant call me saying the bathtub was leaking, which immediately sounded like a big issue to me. When I got to the property I noticed it wasn't the tub it was the toilet next to it and all I need to do was reset the toilet for $50. I took that time to educate the tenant and tell them how to prevent any more damage to the property.

John W. · Answer

They should know how to change furnace filter, untangle chain from toilet flapper so it doesnt run anymore and flip breakers on.

Peter M. · Answer

I go through the property with them at lease signing and show them how to do basic fixes and how to turn off water to minimize damage. I also explain to them that problems they cause like clogged drains are their responsibility. I also don't replace light bulbs. They are working when they move in and they should be working when they move out.  I explain to them that if they have these types of problems and I have to come do it then they will be charged. I really do need to make a list and include it in the leasing packet but I haven't done it yet.

Dumbest calls: My dryer won't start (the installer had turned off the breaker), there is a cat outside meowing at night keeping my kids up, I can hear the neighbors having sex, there is water on the floor (they left the window open and it rained), my AC wont start (they had turned off the breaker because the fan was too loud), my kids locked me out (my units do not have self locking door knobs only keyed deadbolts and one way deadbolts from the inside, the kids had locked the one way deadbolt...what do you want me to do lady? Kick in your door with your kids standing behind it lol)

Nancy P. · Answer

Personally,  we change the furnace filters twice a year.  Ourselves.  And it's in the lease that they have to let us in.  I find tenants DON'T change them themselves,  even when filters are provided,  and it's harder on the HVAC,  and also gives us a chance to look around.  Things I DO make sure the tenant knows:  Where the breakers are.  How to turn off the water at the toilet and under the sink.  (2/3 of tenants under 30 have no idea about this.)   How to change the water filter in the fridge. What can and CANNOT go down a disposal or toilet.   I'm going to add the garage door..thanks for the suggestion!   I've started putting in leases that light bulbs are their responsibility.   I cannot believe tenants expect that.....

Dick Rosen · Answer

That could be a very very long list! But I guess I prefer to get that phone call so I can help troubleshoot over the phone to make sure they aren't doing something crazy and causing more problems. And frankly there are a lot of homeowners out there that wouldn't know how to disconnect the door opener or even think of it. My mom (now widowed) calls me constantly for dumb little things that she doesn't know what to do.

Tenant Maintenance: What Items Should Your Tenant Know How To Do?

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