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.
Don’t do anything you don’t want to do. First and foremost. Get control of this relationship right away or you are going to have problems big time. My suggestions: Write down every possible solution you have come up with and the solutions listed from posters, rate each in terms of pros and cons on a scale of 1 – 10 and then do what you want. Just do it. You are in charge. That is first and foremost. Good luck.
It is your place and you tell this person at some point that this is too much if you want and also give her the option of leaving. I learned a lot about tenants and one thing is that sometimes you don’t have all the facts up front and you can make compromises including saying no when another set of circumstances suggested yes.
Heh. Just want to chime in that if she said she’s renting it at a very fair price. I wouldn’t call $3500 a month for 1 floor of a brownstone a, “very fair price.” My guess is she’s charging less. Much less.
It sounds as if the apartment is rather nice and above and beyond the usual rental. I know how you feel…your proud of the place and want the tenant to be happy, so you are willing to go the extra mile. Thats the problem. I take it you are getting a premium rent? Did you use a broker? Call your broker and have him/her deal with it. Is this your first time being a landlord? Here is how I would deal with your tenant. Don’t take it personal. It’s business. You said you would pay for it before you knew the facts. (maybe this way of making decisions is one reason why your renovation went so poorly.) Beleive me I am not being critical to hurt you in any way, but leaving the decision of buying the D.W. in the hands of the tenant is always asking for trouble. Yente’s advice makes sense. If they won,t take the DW back, agree to have a plumber change the faucet at her cost, as “she” bought the wrong one. If she gets bratty, cut her loose. As someone who spent 10 years dealing wth this exact situation, always say NO first and then if you must, say i will get back to you later…then say no. However, if shes paying $3500 a month you just might want to kiss her ass and call the plumber.
Ridiculous. Cancel the lease.
If she can return the dishwasher, I’d make good on your word by selecting a dishwasher that works with your faucet. If that’s not possible, the problem is no longer yours. If she wants to replace the faucet, she should pay for it… but I wouldn’t let her select a contractor. If it comes down to that, you should use a plumber you’re confortable with.
I agree with Archiefina that you should step back. Take a deep breath. It’s really not worth getting your knickers in a twist. Changing a faucet isn’t a big deal, but if you can’t do it yourself, have her pay for the plumber. Then get her the cheapest Home Depot faucet and put the nice one back after she leaves. Come to think of it, can you fit a real dishwasher in there and return the portable? What the hell are you gonna do with that thing after her lease is up and you kick her out? You paid for it so you might as well have something you can use in the future.
As a matter of principle, I would tell her to stuff it.
But it would actually be preferable to step back, think that replacing a faucet isn’t all that bad, and that having a portable dishwasher in the apartment does add to its value, and that although she sounds like a spoiled brat she’s probably fine as a tenant.
That said, she should absolutely pay for the contractor and the hook-up charges.
As Mateo said, tell her to take it or leave it. If she takes it, she’s reasonable (and fine to keep) and if she leaves it, she confirms she’s a spoiled brat (whom you don’t want in your house anyway).
Good luck!
I agree with Mateo. Tell her no portable d/w and give her the option to cancel her lease. You tried to help her out and it just isn’t feasible. Although going forward you may want to consider if there is a way to reconfigure your kitchen to fit a small dishwasher – most tenants in nicer apts. do expect them. A w/d is more of a luxury in a brownstone rental.
Sounds like a problem tenant. I would cut my losses and cancel the lease. She is trouble with a capital T.