Tenant requesting couple hundred dollars rent credit after washer/dryer replacement
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:
- How would you handle this situation?
- Would you offer a partial rent credit, reimburse documented laundromat expenses, or take another approach?
- How would you handle the request to waive late fees?
- What documentation would you request before agreeing to reimbursement?
- 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.