Tenant Issues

About a week ago, I received a call from my local Section 8 office. The case worker told me that a tenant called to complain that her heat wasn't working and that her apartment was cold. This tenant has been somewhat of a problem since moving in about 3 months ago. I told Section 8 that I hadn't received a call from the tenant about the problem, but that I would check it out. At that time, the temperatures were in the 30's at night and so I arrived at the apartment in the morning to check out the temperature in the apartment. As I walked into the apartment, it became apparent that the heat was working just fine. The temperature must have been 85 degrees! The tenant's first words were that it was warm enough today, which I found ironic since the night before was as cold as it's been this year.

My first task was to give the idiot tenant a piece of my mind! I explained to her that the lease required her to call ME if she had a maintenance problem and that she was not to call Section 8 unless she was dissatisfied with my solution to the problem. After that, I asked her how hot she wanted the apartment to be, as I felt 85 degrees was hot enough (as I started to sweat). Before we converted the apartment to electric baseboard heat, the apartment had gas heat. Therefore, I told the tenant that I would add a ventless gas heater to her apartment and she could keep the temperature at 100 degrees for all I care.

This entire last week has been very warm. That warmth came to an end yesterday, so I spent a few minutes yesterday installing the gas heater for her. I have several of these gas heaters that I removed from units that I remodeled, so installing this heater didn't cost me anything.

While I was in town yesterday, I also checked up on two rental units that allegedly had roof leaks. It absolutely POURED down rain yesterday and I went to both of the units during this heavy rain. Neither of the roofs were leaking, so it looks like my previous repairs are doing great.

After that, I went to one of my 1 bedroom apartments and began preparing it to be re-rented.

That was about it for Friday. Have a good weekend!