This is so ironic: yesterday I scheduled a guy to come cut down two big elms on the property and today a tree branch fell on the tenants car. This branch came from a giant maple which, has proved itself to be rotting. So now we’re gonna be out about $4000 to take this monstrous tree down. So we were unaware of any problems with this tree, and I’m pretty sure the car damage is his responsibility (act is god) however, he only has liability insurance and the car was worth maybe $1500. This guy has been a great tenant. We want to make it right, but with needing to take the monster maple down and the other two elms, that’s about $7000. His car is done for, we want to help, but also, these costs are hurting us... What would you do for this tenant?
Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
I'm betting $1500 won't make a significant difference in the quality of your life whereas it will in his. Sometimes we do something for someone when we don't have to. There are some here who will say, "hell no" but you need to do what you feel is right even though you don't need to.
Flipper/Rehabber · Leominster, MA · Member since 2020 · 667 posts · 384 votes
6y
Mild adjustment to the rent; maybe $50/$100 per month for 12 months... Something significant that is not painful for you, particularly since you are already out of pocket $4k.
Rental Property Investor · Portland OR · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y
I probably would offer pay for the value (1500) .... if this is a good tenant then i would just be happy he wasnt killed. You might require renters insurance going forward
Moises, that is a good idea, but I guess he’s moving in a few months already and he is a veteran with rental assistance and only pays $50/month. We’ll probably just have to fork over some $ for him and give him back his full deposit.
Rental Property Investor · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
You state 2 different things on the tree, first you said it has proven itself to be rotting and you mention you will be spending 4k to take it down. The next sentence you state you were unaware of any problems with the tree. If you knew the tree was a liability and was rotting that would make you negligent and you should pay him. If it was a perfectly healthy tree and this could not have been foreseen it is a judgement call. While you wouldn't legally be responsible if he was a good tenant that kept the place in good condition and was planning on staying a while I would pay up, if they were a problem or I knew they were leaving and not worried about retaining a good tenant I would let them know that it is on them. Also a lot of insurance companies will suggest comprehensive coverage on top of liability to cover damages that aren't your fault like weather and deer, has he checked to see if he has it.
Adam, we weren’t aware the tree was rotting until the branch fell, then it was apparent. As I said, we were not even thinking about that tree, but two others on the property. Thanks for the advice. He was already planning on moving out.
Rental Property Investor · Concord, GA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y
You can take whatever action you like but not really your problem he didn't have appropriate coverage on the car. I wouldn't have carried comprehensive and collision on a $1500 car either but then would expect to "eat it" if something happened.
Rental Property Investor · Bloomington, MN · Member since 2019 · 404 posts · 542 votes
6y
@Leslie Johnson I’m no expert in this area, but you mentioned that he is on rental assistance. You might want to research rules with that because you don’t want it to look like you are giving cash back to a tenant on assistance. Maybe the program would be fine with that. I would want to know ahead of time though.
Adam, we weren’t aware the tree was rotting until the branch fell, then it was apparent. As I said, we were not even thinking about that tree, but two others on the property. Thanks for the advice. He was already planning on moving out.
That makes sense that you found out after the fall then, I just didn't originally read it that way. If it looked fine where you would not have known I would just let them deal with it then, it is a risk you take with auto insurance and it looks like this time his gamble didn't pay off by skipping the comprehensive.
Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
I'm betting $1500 won't make a significant difference in the quality of your life whereas it will in his. Sometimes we do something for someone when we don't have to. There are some here who will say, "hell no" but you need to do what you feel is right even though you don't need to.
Just to make sure I am understanding. Forget the "tree guy" at all because he appears to be irrelevant.
You had a big old tree limb fall on your tenants car and total it (value $1500)?
If that's the case (obvious spit-balling here with limited info). Offer him the $1500 for his car. Call a firewood guy to chop the tree up and take the wood (Free of charge, he is happy). Sell the car to some guy who sells metal for weight for $150.
I am normally a "follow the line" type guy. But for this one, thank god nobody got hurt. Insurance deductibles are not worth claiming on any side of this (Actual damage $1500, minus scrap). If I happened to know someone I could wheel and deal a cheap car for cheaper, I might play that game. Personally I would eat it and move on (Now a tenants new BWM or crushed their $80,000 competition Motorcycle.... different story). This one pays for itself.
Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
6y
@Leslie Johnson at first I would be upset over it all, and struggling a bit like you. Then I'd think about how he is dirt poor and how this S-box of a $1,500.00 car was probably the most valuable thing in his life, and he is a veteran. That's where my whole attitude would shift and I'd think how I have spent 10x that amount on vacations and got some cool pictures to show for it which seems so petty in comparison.
I'd go out to a used car dealer and buy the guy something, telling the dealer what I am doing and why, asking if he could help me to get this p-poor veteran a best deal for the $1,500 I have, and I'd probably spend $2k or $2,500 if I'm being honest because I'd be getting into it at this point, getting excited for how awesome this is gonna turn out to be for this guy.
At end of day it's just money, the most un-special thing in the world but this could be something really awesome and a big karma deposit. I'd get my kids involved because those damn spoiled brat's need some humility training (lol, kinda kidding, there great kids, but rather spoiled).
Point is, it dosn't have to be a bad thing. You can make this a good thing that your gonna feel like a champ from for a long time. Years later it will be a hell of a story, one all can respect. If not for a poor veteran who's always done you right, then for who? It's why we work to make the money we do, so we can do things like this for those who deserve and earned it.
Others have assumed he has no money, is that the case? He only had liability on his car because it was worth $1500.
If he's moving soon, I'd just give him a small break on rent (the $50 he's paying). If the place is in good shape, you could return some of his deposit early-not all of it, but enough that it might help him buy a new car.