Rent credit for tenants

We had tenants move in June and the central air in their small 2 bedroom duplex unit broke at the beginning of August. It took from then until two weeks ago (about 2 months total) to replace because of the size of the unit and the way the prior unit was installed, required removing a wall and more construction work than we thought. During this time the tenants were provided window units and we agreed to cover the excess electric cost. We told them we would provide a rental credit for the two months because of the inconvenience and they are asking for 50% off saying how the apartment served for little more than storage and uncomfortable sleep during this time. I find 50% off to be excessive and was thinking more like $500 off for each month. I have heard stories of landlords not even replacing the central AC which ending up costing us over $7k but we wanted to just take care of it and also adhere to our rental contract which stated we were providing central AC. Looking to get some thoughts on what is a reasonable credit to offer.

hannah24

in General Discussion 8 years and 10 months ago

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dorkofwindsor | 8 years and 10 months ago

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$500 is MORE than generous esp given your diligence and providing window units. When you dont renew them (you should NOT!) they will be sorry for a long long while, but who cares – they reap what they sow. When i was a renter i would bend over backwards for the landlord – and they me. Find a better match and you will be so much better off when these things happen in the future. Entitled tenants are the worst, and plenty of people would be thrilled to have you as a LL without shakedowns.

Lurker | 8 years and 10 months ago

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give them 750 a month, smile and then send them a notice of non-renewal following the expiration of the current lease. it’s a sellers market, especially for seemingly conscientious landlords like yourself, and this tenant will certainly do this sort of thing again. i don’t know how you could have been nicer or more accommodating and generous, far beyond what most people could expect.

resident2 | 8 years and 10 months ago

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All standard leases make a provision for the landlords to be able to make needed repairs without offset of the rent. You gave them window air-conditioners, you were working in good faith; its not as if you went on vacation and told them they would have to wait. I assume the workers did not leave a huge mess at the end of each day….
If your child tenants need to get their parents involved they are clearly not adult enough to rent an apartment of their own and you will obviously not be renewing their lease so stand firm on your very generous offer, unfortunately you cannot take it back, once offered. No Judge in Landlord Tenant Court would give them 50% off for C/A! I have hear of tenants only getting 10% off for heat & hot water for heavens sake….

slopefarm | 8 years and 10 months ago

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Ask a broker what the premium is for central for a 2 br in your hood. Offer that plus $50 and a bottle of wine.

EJR | 8 years and 10 months ago

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> @cmu
> Write out the central air the next time you lease.

I would only write this out of the lease if you are not receiving a rent premium for it. At the end of the day, if it’s in the apartment, the tenants will expect that it’s a feature of the apartment and will complain if it does not work. I don’t know what the form lease looks like, but I imagine there are a number of other provisions in the lease a tenant could hang his or her hat on to compel the landlord to fix the non-functioning HVAC.

cmu | 8 years and 10 months ago

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Well you have terrible tenants, sorry. I’d offer them, say, $250 and a good bottle of wine.

As a long time landlord, I’ve occasionally had similar situations, but no one has tried to shake me down when I’ve done my best. Write out the central air the next time you lease.

hannah24 | 8 years and 10 months ago

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The work wasn’t disruptive as it occurred while they were working and out of the apartment and not in a central space in the apartment, our property manager was onsite handling all of it so they never had to miss work. The issue is that they signed a lease that stipulated central AC and they are young tenants, one of their parents got involved who is a lawyer and is a PAIN to deal with so the less interaction with him the better.

cmu | 8 years and 10 months ago

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500/month seems excessive especially since you provided an alternative. Was the work disruptive? If not, where’s the major inconvenience to them?