Tenant complaint about heat for 2 entire years

Tenant complaint about heat for 2 entire years

Member since 2021 · 199 posts · 42 votes

I got this apartment that tenant pays electricity and heat is a baseball heat that uses electricity.

Last year he complaint about heat we send 5 different set of people to check all of them say the heat is hot enough there is no need to change the heat.

We suggest her to leave heat on 24 hours because takes time to heat up apartment. He say there is no way for him to keep the heat on 24/7 because the electric bill.

We suggested him to move out break the lease he refuse too.

Now this year he complaints again, we finally went over and replace a brand new heat she still complaints again to us the heat is not enough.

How should I respond back so it won’t back fire me?

We are raising as much rent as we could as our town allowed hoping he would move out on his own. I though ignorant his text but I can’t do that.

We know the heat works fine. Is either his body needs a lot heat or he just doesn’t turn heats on all the tome.

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Tina Lee:

You know the heat works, so this is a problem Tenant. Instead of raising his rent, you should have terminated his lease and made him move out.

My suggestion is that you ignore his complaints. If he continues complaining, give him a written notice that the heat works like it supposed to and he can move out if he is unhappy.


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  • Member since 2021 · 199 posts · 42 votes
    3y

    I am Beyong stressful and hate to see his non stoping and complaining text every time. What should I do to respond to him on professional matter that doesn’t back fire me and have him stop his childish action.

  • Member since 2021 · 199 posts · 42 votes
    3y

    By the way is a he, sorry about my typo of mess up with him or her. I always make that mistake

  • Investor · Houston · Member since 2022 · 80 posts · 44 votes
    3y

    how old is the unit, and how old are the windows? could it be they are very old and you have a huge heat loss?

    Other than that, simply write him a letter stating the heat works, and for the apartment to be warm, it needs to be controlled by the thermostat and that there isn't anything to "FIX", and to stop contacting you except to pay rent or report emergencies.

    Do not renew his lease.

    This being said, do check your windows.  Replace them if they are old.   Also check the main door weather strips, make sure there are no drafts.  (cheap to fix).

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Tina Lee:

    You know the heat works, so this is a problem Tenant. Instead of raising his rent, you should have terminated his lease and made him move out.

    My suggestion is that you ignore his complaints. If he continues complaining, give him a written notice that the heat works like it supposed to and he can move out if he is unhappy.


    The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
  • Corby GoadeBusiness Member
    Investor · Boise, ID · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y

    What is the temperature in the apartment when it's "fully" heated? Do you have enough insulation?

    If you are truly doing everything you can and it's still not enough, why did you renew their lease? I'd just non-renew them. 

  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    3y

    Explain to him how the heater works and that he can adjust the temperature.  If he's worried about costs, tell him to make sure they are cleaned and stay on because maintaining the temperature is cheaper than turning them on and off.

    Next time he calls, tell him you've had 5 people out there and they all said it worked.  You have also been out there and explained it to him.  When it comes time to renew the lease, I agree with the others, do not renew his lease.

  • Rental Property Investor · Boston, Massachusetts (MA) · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    Document and ignore

  • Member since 2021 · 199 posts · 42 votes
    3y

    Hi all, the state require us to renew the lease. Unles tenant is habitual late payment or no payment or unless I am selling the apartment. He pay rents on time.

  • Member since 2021 · 199 posts · 42 votes
    3y

    I don’t have a way not to renew the lease.

  • Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    Collect the rent.

  • Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y
    Aloha,

    Whenever a tenant complains about inside temperatures, I place a device to take and record the actual temperature over a 24 or 48 hour period. This one generates a chart that you can use as evidence of actual conditions:
    https://www.amazon.com/Elitech...
    Check local housing codes to see what is considered "adequate" temperature range for housing. As long as you are within those guidelines, case closed.

    With a typical central furnace/AC you will clearly see the operational cycles of the equipment on the generated chart. For baseboard heat, you may need to check multiple rooms for greater accuracy, depending on normal air circulation. Any type of heating system can have areas that are cooler than others, based on insulation, amount of air circulation (interior doors should be open for maximum circulation), type and fit of windows and exterior doors, and other factors.
  • Rental Property Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2018 · 41 posts · 29 votes
    3y

    @Tina Lee

    I have never heard of the state requiring a landlord to renew a tenants lease. Unless you signed a term lease with him, the lease expires when it's contractually stated to expire. If the term is up, he's on a month to month so you can give him 60 day notice to vacate. No reason needed. You stop collecting rent. If he doesn't move out by the 60th day, you evict. The key is you don't take any future payments.

  • Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 728 posts · 596 votes
    3y

    @Tina Lee

    What temp is the tenant setting the heat at and can the unit maintain that temp. I have had tenants keep the house at 80 degrees. Just doing work in the house was uncomfortable it was so warm. Also, are there large air leaks in the house maybe allowing cold drafts in? Looks like maybe you need to get to the actual issue.

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