All Forum Posts by: Mara Witt

Hi, is this drop in, or is registration required?

I can help, I'm a real estate agent and a multi family owner in Manchester. Give me a call I'd love to talk about it!

Monday the heating company came! He found that the two radiators that my guy had fixed were good, but one radiator had a cracked vent ( that meant it was letting too much steam and possibly causing the other radiators to not get enough) he changed all the remaining vents just to be safe. And added a new thermostat. So it's all fixed. Ended up costing me $375 for the time vents and thormastat. If the tenant had been civlil and explained what was wrong I could have had him come fix it the next day and for less than $100.

So this is the update, it got really cold here on Thursday night so I texted to check on her. She sent me a picture of the heat at 62 and it was set to 75. I asked her if she wanted me to get emergency service, at 10pm. I asked her at 2 she did not get back to me til 10. She did not take me up on the offer she continued to complain through text more about me than about the heat. Eventually, she said that the radiators were not even working (and that she thinks he didn't even fix them). This is big info to me, (that they are not working, I Know he did fix them, but if they are still not working that's something I could have delt with way sooner) her complaint about the heat has been that the yearly matinence appointment was too far away. And the day it was fixed I told her that the valves may need to be adjusted and that he could come back to help her if she needed. And she slammed the door and I did not here from her about it again. Which made me think that she had either adjusted them herself, or waited long enough for the heat to actually kick on (she came out yelling as soon as she got home). So now that I know that the radiators (that I paid someone to fix) and before you say it, looking back I realize I should have followed up. The handyman I used dose still hold a license. He told me that he checked the temp and that it was working. Through the series of texts on Thursday night I offered suggested and finally asked if I could have him back in to check on the radiators the next day. 4 times. As well as offering to get emerging service that night. Friday morning I called and changed the appointment from matinance tried to get it moved up but couldn't get it sooner. Appt is monday. I asked her again on Friday morning if I could have him come it to check the radiators she said no, that waiting til Monday would be fine. I think that this is a breakdown in communication and could have been avoided if she had explained to me that the radiators were not working instead of yelling about the matinance or if I had checked back with her (I didn't want to deal with her being crazy, lesson learned). You all have had some really tough love for me and I appreciate it. I wrote this post because I wanted to make sure I am handling this appropriately. I really do value all the advice. The comment "a to do list is for your own house" really hit me as good advice to follow. And as always, learning from my mistakes :) Can't wait til Monday to get this heating issue wrapped up for good.

Thank you all for the great advice and info! I am asking here. Because I really want to know if I'm doing things the right way. So I definitely take all your advice to heart. (Roof needs to be fixed) I use a few different handymen to help me make decisions about what is a serious issue and what is something small that they can take care of. It's worked for me. It's a good first line of defense. Thank you all:)

Ok point taken. Roof needs to be fixed. I will have it taken care of. This is the first time she has mentioned it and has not had to "deal with a leaky roof" I had it looked at and told her about it before she moved in, was told to keep an eye on it and told her to let me know if there was ever a problem with it. Over a year ago there was a very heavy rain storm she told me that it did leak a small amount just during the storm. Because it is only a problem with severe heavy rain, I thought it could be put off til I need to replace the roof in the next couple of years. The real issue is the heat, the handyman used to work at a heating company, so I'm not sure if he still has holds a license, but I trust his opinion. The radiators were fixed a week after the complaint. (A week for the parts to be delivered) this is a very small apartment and two of the 6 radiators were not working. Also made the appointment for service that day. She is expecting me to treat it like an emergency situation. I don't feel that it is, 1) because the heat working when I was there 2) because I was told by a professional that the heat was working 3) because she exaggerated 20 degrees, and only made another complaint when I asked her to clean up poop. If I could get an appointment sooner I would have. I am new at this 3 years and I am learning from my mistakes, so far most of my mistakes have been being too nice. Today it is actually cold. I am worried about the possibility that there could be a real problem. I texted her to see what the temp is today and have not herd back. She is home. But has not responded. I am willing to have emergency service it it is warranted, especially with this cold weather. I definitely have taken it personally, her attitude about this thrown me for a loop.

It is a duplex in my backyard. I usually shovel or hire a plow ( although the lease states tenants are responsible for there own snow removal) I try to be nice. I cover myself in the lease, but I take care of my property. The leak in the bathroom is small and has not been an issue for her. She is only bringing it up to make it seem like I don't do what I'm supposed to do. I have had it looked at (when it first happened and was told to keep an eye on it but that it was not a pressing issue. On a rainy day it dose not leak, it has only happens when it was a torrential down pour. I know that the roof will need to be replaced eventually but I have put it off, one cause I can't afford it yet slate roof) and also because it has not leaked in over a year. Did I mention it's a small leak? She is month to month, and I will let her know that she is free to go with 30 days notice. I am planning a rent increase in the spring (to help finance the roof) If it is something I need to do right away, I may have to increase the rent sooner. If the consensus is that I am in the wrong for not replacing the roof I will take your advice and start working to get it done. I am sincerely looking for advice to see if I am in the wrong. Her attitude is making it hard to take her seriously. I will call today again to see if they can come sooner to service the heater, I really do want to fix any problems right away, but when I'm told it isn't a problem....

Thanks @Drew MacDermott  Yes most conversations are documented, (thru text messages) 

the leak in the bathroom is due to the roof. its a big project that is loomoing over my head but because it has only been an issue in monsoon rain storms and has only leaked ( and this is a small leak) into the bathroom 3 times in 3 years  its on my list, but, really has not been a problem for her so its just strange for her to bring it up. 

 The lease states that not picking up after your pet is grounds for eviction.  I know it is on me for not enforcing it enough.  I will  pick it all up, I have a dog too, and then tell her "I just cleaned it all, we need to stay on top of it from now on" too nice i know.

I don't care what she wears in her house, its just hard to take this complaint seriously.

So here's the situation, tenant (has been there for a year and a half, month to month lease, never any problem except she doesn't pick up dog poop, which I have been way too lax on so far, because she has been a very good tenant otherwise) text’s me on November 22 saying that her heat is cycling but not getting above 60 in her house. I immediately get back to her, schedule an appointment for my handyman (who has a background in heating and ac) to come check it out. We go in the next day, it is 72 degrees in her house, granted it was not a cold day and she also had a space heater running (not allowed per her lease) He looks at heater and said it is running fine, but suggests I get it serviced (yearly) as it will help it to run “smoother” also found two radiators that were not working, so he ordered the parts, which took a week to come in, I made an appointment for service (first available appointment was Dec 19th, which I thought was ok, scene it is not “broken”) and I bought her plastic to put on her windows. It’s an old house I always plastic my windows as well. So, he installs the new valves on the radiator, a week later and minutes after she texts me that the heat is still not working. Then, I'm outside and she STORMS out of her house, I ask her “have you adjusted the valves?” and she starts screaming at me that this is unacctable  that I am not having it serviced oil the 19th. I explain to her again that it is not a repair service or an emergency (because her heat is working), it is just maintenance and that that is the soonest I could get an appointment. she goes inside and slams the door. The temp outside during this conversation was 55.
So, Monday we had our first snow, I’m shoving outside and she comes home, I ask her to pick up the dog poop that is in front of me ( it gets way grosser in the snow, so I want to get on it right away Especially because i know that there are at least 20 piles from her dog underneath the fresh snow) so I ask her to pick it up, she says “Of course I always do” (uhhhhh?!) then says ( with attitude) “its still really cold in the house” Ok, she wants to start and argument, it goes on, I tell her I’m doing everything I can to help her I've made the appointment, had the valves fixed, and gave her plastic, I was told it is working fine so it is not an emergency situation. It goes back and fourth and she says “it was 20 degrees in my house the other night” ( if it’s 20 degrees in the house I'm thinking that WOULD be an emergency, and I should have got a phone call then, not mention it two days later because I asked you to pick up dog poop.) She also brings up a leak in her bathroom, that I am aware of it had leaked during a major rainstorm before she moved in, so any time there is major rain, I text her to make sure it isn't leaking, it has only happened 3 times in 3 years so Its on my to do list, but it has not happened in over a year. So, I’m offended, she's accusing me of not doing my job as a landlord and I’m taking it personally. Its hard to take her seriously when 1) I was told the heat was working 2) she's bringing up problems with the house that do not affect her (leak in the bathroom) 3) she tells me to my face that she cleans up her dog poop when i can see 20 piles! 4) that she opens the door wearing a t shirt (if its that cold in your house put on a sweater!!!)
I just want to make sure I’m doing everything right, she said “according to the state of NH” I’m not. alluding to reporting me. This is all so out of character, so I’m assuming there is some other problem in her life. But I am taking it personal, I pride myself on taking good care of my tenants so I’m offended that she's implying I don’t. Also, now it IS cold out, I really want to make sure there is not a real problem so I tried to get a sooner appt for service but have not herd back yet. I also want to tell her NO space heater, as it is clearly stated in her lease, but haven't mentioned anything about it. If I’m doing anything wrong please tell me.

I own a duplex, both sides have been rented to good tenants for the past year.  unit A is a single woman and her teenage daughter, I'm pretty sure she will be a long term tenant.  Unit B is two twentysomthing guys, roommates. Both sides have been good tenants and I'd like to keep them. So, now that leases are up should I draw up a new lease, or let it just go month to month?