Need Tenant Issue Advice
I would appreciate any thoughts on my situation. I just rented out a one-bedroom apt in my townhouse in Park Slope. I rented it out as is, it was a beautiful renovation with central air conditioning, wide-plank walnut floors, washer and dryer and very fair price. The girl who is renting it from me said…
I would appreciate any thoughts on my situation. I just rented out a one-bedroom apt in my townhouse in Park Slope. I rented it out as is, it was a beautiful renovation with central air conditioning, wide-plank walnut floors, washer and dryer and very fair price. The girl who is renting it from me said she wanted a dish-washer but I told her this is as is and it is tricky to install a dish washer with the current layout — take it or leave it. She decided to take it but asked if she get a portable one. I said ok and even volunteered to pay for it. She bought it and when I saw the size of that thing and the price tag over $400, I was surprised and upset but did not say anything. Now she discovered that my Italian designer faucet does not fit her portable dishwasher hookup and she is asking for me to get a contractor and replace the faucet. I just went through the most painful renovations for this house and everything that could go wrong went wrong. I am terrified to do anything at this point; as I know it won’t be that simple. Apart from this, I just feel like the girl is making me do things that I told her from the beginning I won’t do… and how this is snowballing into more serious issues.
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
Oops! Sorry- that was me.
Thanks, Yente!
I agree it is not good to bash tenants. They are clients/customers. The problem has two parts. One how to deal with the current situation which is to try to work it out with the tenant in a fair way that is acceptable to the owner. The second is how to deal with these kind of things from the start. I really believe that the owner has to own this type of situation from the start, i.e. either say no up front if that is what he/she wants or if not sure, to say that they will get all the facts and then make a decision.
If anybody is still reading this thread, I just want to add to Bx2Bklyn’s opinion that the tenant does not sound like a bitch. To me, it seems that the landlord/lady gave the tenant free reign and then thought better of it later. I also wonder why people are so quick to badmouth tenants? As a landwoman with a huge mortgage, I know that I need my tenants more than they need me and I try to show them some appreciation. Yeah, you can find another tenant, but a) it’a a pain in the arse to show the apt, do credit and background checks, blah, blah, blah and b)who’s to say the next tenant will be any better? I do quality renovations and then charge top dollar for my rentals. If someone wants a little extra, I usually don’t mind giving it to them because they’re paying market or above. OP, maybe you’re feeling slighted because you gave her a “fair price”. But that wasn’t her fault! (unless she talked you down…but then again, you let her!)
Ah- it must be dump on tenants day on the forum. Everyone just assumed the tenant is a bitch or a spoiled brat but the landlady makes clear the tenant asked first. Unfortunately she made a bad purchasing decision and now has to have more work done. So lets actually assume the tenant may be a little insensitive moneywise when she bought the dishwasher, but not that she is trying to run roughshod over the landlord.
That said, speaking as a tenant if I were in the same situation I would have checked to make sure I knew a price range the landlady would find acceptable, and if the connections would work. I think the responsibility for putting in a new faucet really is the tenant’s. Why not simply tell her she pciked it out, you were more than generous in trying to accomodate her and since you also offered to pay for the dishwasher, she has to pay for the extra plumbing work and fixtures. She can take it or leave it, but I’m sure she also realizes that her situation is enviable. Now it’s her turn to show she can be a good tenant. In your tenant’s defense, you say yourself you said nothing about the size and price- but until you do make your feelings known, she can only assume everything is fine.In truth she isn’t making you do anything- it’s your house, your property, your money. Like I used to tell my sister when her kids ran wild- you’re the parent! And maybe she’ll surprise you by being reasonable and more than willing to compromise.
I have been dealing with tenants now for over 15 years, and I understand that what it feels like to make your home/property beautiful and that have a stranger try to tell you what you should do with it. I try to be very conscience when it comes to my tenants. I feel if someone is paying a premium for a place to live, even if you are giving them a break, they deserve to live in a nice place. On the other hand I also expect my tenants to take care of my property. That being said,I believe you should not allow your tenant to tell you how to run your place. If you had the ability to put in a dishwasher for the get go you would have done so. It sounds to me like she could turn out to be a little “B”… in the long run and give you more trouble than what is worth.
Good Luck.
I agree with the above posters. If I were in the same situation and the tenant was adamant about having a d/w, I would definitely stand by my original lease or let them know that this will add an additonal expenses (DEP) and therefore, you’ll have to raise her rent to compensate. Perhaps then she’ll back off. That’s just my $.02.
It’s true, once you start to accomodate their silly demands, you’re setting yourself up big time. It happened to me the first time around. She became so bold that she started paying her rent late and then decided that she didn’t want to pay at all. I guess once you become wishy-washy, they may lose some respect for you and try and walk all over you. Hopefully, your case is not as extreme as mine was, but just be aware. I vow that this time, I will be more assertive and more careful.
If the price really is fair, then the tenant probably knows that too. You wouldn’t have problems finding a new tenant if they wanted to leave. In my experience, bending over backwards for a new tenant just sets you up for (many) more demands later. How appreciative has she been so far?
I’m not crazy about washing dishes myself, but if a dishwasher wasn’t included in the lease and I wanted one, I would expect to pay for it myself. If it wasn’t in the original arrangement, it’s a luxury, not a requirement. If you do it, what if you spend $400 on the washer, $150 on the plumbing/faucet, and they break their lease? Make sure you have it in writing so you can recover your expenses if they don’t stay X months, or the full lease.
Don’t forget it’s a business decision – not a favor you’re doing for a buddy.
I love brownstoner! Everyone gave me very helpful advice. I am pretty sure about what I am going to do now. I am most grateful to everyone!!!
Elvira.