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Ravi P.
  • Newark, NJ
10
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6
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Tenant requesting couple hundred dollars rent credit after washer/dryer replacement

Ravi P.
  • Newark, NJ
Posted

I own a rental property in New Jersey and am a self-managing landlord. I would appreciate advice from other landlords, especially those familiar with NJ rentals.

My tenant's washer and dryer were unavailable for several weeks. I arranged for a technician to inspect the appliances, but the repair process became complicated and additional repairs were recommended. I ultimately decided to replace both appliances, and the replacement has now been completed.

The tenant is requesting a rent credit, saying they incurred several hundred dollars in laundromat expenses while the appliances were unavailable.

I understand the inconvenience. However, I am unsure how to handle the reimbursement request fairly. The tenant was able to use a laundromat during the repair and replacement period, and I would like to understand what other landlords consider reasonable in this situation.

There is also a separate issue: the tenant has been paying rent late and is asking me to waive late fees because of the laundromat expenses. I am unsure whether these should be treated as separate matters.

Before considering any reimbursement, I would want to review the laundromat receipts and understand the actual expenses incurred. I would appreciate advice on what documentation landlords typically request and how to handle receipts if there are questions about their accuracy.

For landlords in NJ:

  1. How would you handle this situation?
  2. Would you offer a partial rent credit, reimburse documented laundromat expenses, or take another approach?
  3. How would you handle the request to waive late fees?
  4. What documentation would you request before agreeing to reimbursement?
  5. Are there any NJ landlord-tenant rules I should be aware of regarding appliance repairs, rent credits, or tenant reimbursement requests?

I am not looking for legal advice, just practical experience from landlords who have dealt with similar situations.

Thank you.

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