Washer / Dryer Failed & CoronaVirus

[Ray R.]

We inherited this tenant. I have a rental and the dryer supposedly just failed. Tenant texted something about sparks. The rent is below market and we have rent control! Since this is not an "emergency maintenance" does this need to be immediately fixed? Appliance guy that stopped by said no power to dryer (208), but he said fuse panel / circuit breaker was OK. It's an old unit, 60 or so years old with I think a fuse panel, probably converted to push button screw in type circuit breakers.  Front loading washer / dryer, I think LG. My guess is dryer is electric, but I am not sure.

My guess on options:

1. Go there to see what is going on with the power. With CoronaVirus I am trying to avoid apartment visits.

2. Lower rent by say $25 or $50 per month.

3. Change terms and say washer / dryer not included

4. Change to top loader, and make gas dryer 120 VAC. Buy off Craiglist. 

[Aaron K.]

@Ray R. because this unit was leased with a washer and dryer it is your responsibility to fix them, at least eventually.  In the future I wouldn't include it because it is one more thing to fix and a lot of the time around our area it isn't expected.  I would classify this as a necessary repair because the tenant is talking about sparks, if god forbid something were to go wrong that text message just screams lawsuit.