Updated 2 days ago on . Most recent reply
Charging for appliance repairs
I'm curious how other landlords people approach charging tenants for damage/excessive wear & tear on appliances.
In this case, a spindle (i.e., the metal thing connecting the knob) on a gas stove got bent and stopped working, even with pliers.
I haven't seen this before. I suppose this particular burner probably gets used more than the others, but for the spindle to get bent like that seems like more than normal wear & tear to me. The other burners are working perfectly.
Looks like the repair is likely to cost me $350 total.
Would you charge all of that to the tenant? Split it?
This is in Chicago. I'm using the Chicago RLTO lease.
Thanks in advance.
Most Popular Reply
Even if it was their fault I wouldn't charge them. But get it fixed fast because if they mess with it and cause a gas leak you will have bigger problems.
Charging them for it will probably make them worse tentants especially if they feel it wasn't their fault. Could cause more problems that you won't know about until move out. Keep the peace and instead of a non-renewal try telling them you need to raise rent a few hundred bucks. They will either leave in their own or you'll make your money back over the next year.