How to handle tenant lack of judgment, ruining dishwasher

How to handle tenant lack of judgment, ruining dishwasher

Member since 2017 · 4 posts · 2 votes

I have a triplex with three wonderful young women who are renting a three bedroom. They work at very nonprofit nonprofits so they have no money and they are really fantastic. My challenge is that they used a dish rack on the counter right above the dishwasher, yet with no trey! At some point, they put a towel down underneath the rack. But it was too late as water went from the counter to the top control of dishwasher. It stopped functioning and realized it was the cost of the dishwasher to replace the user interface and the board. Luckily I had bought a three-year protection plan from Lowe’s but literally it took me two months of over 20 calls to get them to fulfill it. An enormous amount of my time. So I took a check for the washer, but I’m still out for $450 for the first Appliance Repair man call, upgrading to a better model, the cost of delivering it, installing it, etc. How should I handle this? Just eat it? At a minimum I’m goong to let them know that they were highly likely the cause of this. And there’s even damage underneath the laminate countertop with a particleboard base. I welcome some opinions! Thank you. 

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MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1mo

Ugh, I tend to be generous when it comes to my tenants but this is a decent sum and waste of time for something ridiculous. Are you 100% sure that is what happened? I'd probably eat it but gently tell them the total cost and that I won't be replacing anything else due to blatant misuse. Also are you sure they aren't making any money? I've been extremely well compensated in the past at a non-profit due to grants. 

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  • Denise SuppleeBusiness Member
    Realtor · Willow Grove, PA · Member since 2017 · 970 posts · 638 votes
    1mo

    That's a tough situation, especially since it sounds like they've been wonderful tenants otherwise. From my experience, good tenants are valuable, and I always tried to start with a conversation before deciding how to handle something like this. I'd explain what happened, the costs involved, and hear their perspective. Then you can decide what's fair based on the circumstances and what your lease allows.

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  • Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1mo

     How old was the dishwasher? the cost needs to be adjusted for depreciation, and tenant billed for their misuse. You should have taken pics of it prior to removal. 

    That was sheer stupidity on the tenant's part. The drainboard is always sold with the rack in my experience...

  • MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1mo

    Ugh, I tend to be generous when it comes to my tenants but this is a decent sum and waste of time for something ridiculous. Are you 100% sure that is what happened? I'd probably eat it but gently tell them the total cost and that I won't be replacing anything else due to blatant misuse. Also are you sure they aren't making any money? I've been extremely well compensated in the past at a non-profit due to grants. 

  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    1mo

    Why don't you share with the tenants all the time and the cost you have invested, then ask them what they think is a fair amount for them to pay?

    Offer to break up the amounts over several months.

  • Real Estate Agent · Memphis · Member since 2026 · 546 posts · 316 votes
    1mo

    I'd start by having a conversation with the residents rather than assuming fault. Explain what happened, why the water likely caused the damage and how to avoid it in the future. If they've otherwise been great residents, that conversation alone may be enough to prevent a repeat. 

    As for the costs, I'd be cautious about charging them unless you can clearly document that the damage resulted from negligence rather than normal use. Since your warranty covered most of the replacement, I'd probably view the remaining costs as part of the overall risk of owning rental property. 

    Sometimes preserving a good relationship with responsible residents is worth more than trying to recover a few hundred dollars, especially if they're otherwise taking good care of the home. I'd use it as a teaching moment and make sure they know to report water issues right away if they notice them in the future. 

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