Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Apr 2, 2015 8:19 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Dan [MA]) Apr 2, 2015 8:34 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by AllyM [NJ]) Apr 2, 2015 8:41 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Apr 2, 2015 8:47 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by S i d [MO]) Apr 2, 2015 8:53 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Apr 2, 2015 8:53 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Apr 2, 2015 8:57 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Vee [OH]) Apr 2, 2015 9:06 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Apr 2, 2015 9:10 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by S i d [MO]) Apr 2, 2015 9:10 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Apr 2, 2015 9:14 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by BillS [CO]) Apr 2, 2015 1:07 PM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Ken [NY]) Apr 2, 2015 1:26 PM
Tenants Responsibility? (by DIXIE [KS]) Apr 2, 2015 5:09 PM
Tenants Responsibility? (by LiveTheDream [AZ]) Apr 2, 2015 8:21 PM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Live TheDream [AZ]) Apr 2, 2015 8:24 PM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Rocking Bear [FL]) Apr 2, 2015 9:38 PM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Robert,Ontario,Can [ON]) Apr 3, 2015 12:28 AM
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 8:19 AM Message:
State Specific Question About: MARYLAND (MD)
I have a section 8 tenant. Is it my responsibility or the tenants to clear/snake out a toilet? --73.213.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Dan [MA]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 8:34 AM Message:
What does your lease say? --64.197.xx.xx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 8:41 AM Message:
If they don't you could have a mess on the floor below that you don't want. They are not going to own the tool and probably won't go rent one.
I would definitely get a plumber out there today before the holiday because if you don't you will pay some other way.
They are not in a rental because they are responsible and know how to handle emergencies. --73.33.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 8:47 AM Message:
My Husband was thinking he if he fixed the problem, to give them the bill. --73.213.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 8:53 AM Message:
Hi Doreen,
You've got the right idea but you're asking the wrong question. It is ALWAYS the land lord's responsibility to perform maintenance. Three main reasons:
1) You do not want the tenant or their "handyman" drunk brother-in-law operating equipment in your rental unit, possibly breaking the toilet and flooding the place. Guarnteed they won't have insurance to cover you if they do.
2) You do not want any liability associated with you for requiring a tenant to perform a task outside basic cleaning that may result in their injury. Ambulance chaser lawyers love land lords that tell tenants to do maintenance.
3) Even if the tenant a) doesn't break anything and b) doesn't injury themselves in the process, if you require tenants to do maintenance they often just won't do it at all. The bottom line is you need an unplugged toilet. I've seen (get ready to be grossed out) tenants defecate and urinate in a bathtub because a LL refuse to snake a toilet.
So...now it should be clear WHY the LL should always perform the maintenance (or hire someone to do it).
Now, remember I said you asked the wrong question? Here's the correct question (and I think you meant this, but we need to be clear here):
"Who PAYS for the maintenance?"
Answer: You pay the contractor, then you bill the tenant. Do not allow them to use the security deposit or when they move out you'll find there isn't enough remaining to cover all the damages and any unpaid rent. The next money you receive from them gets applied to bills FIRST and rent LAST. That way if they 'refuse' to pay, they are short on rent, and you just evict them for unpaid rent.
Good luck. --173.16.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 8:53 AM Message:
Thx, it is in the lease its their responsibility if caused by negligence. --73.213.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 8:57 AM Message:
Right, I was more asking who is responsible for the bill.
Thanks again. --73.213.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 9:06 AM Message:
If I pull it out and you did not eat it, it will cost you (the tenant). --107.218.xx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 9:10 AM Message:
Not necessarily, the last time we snaked the toilet the source was a childs toy. --73.213.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 9:10 AM Message:
Awesome, I figured that was the case, but since this is a public forum I always like to clarify the hidden nuances in case any "newbies" drop by.
Btw, I know you said you were planning on having your hubby do the work, and that's fine. However, be aware that some states limit what can be charged for repairs that LL's do themselves.
My handyman charges $25 to unplug a toilet as long as it's something simple like a toy or sanitary napkin. That's enough of a slap on the wrist so hopefully tenants will be more careful in the future, and his invoice for the charge will protect me if they claim they are not responsible for the charge. Again, good luck! --173.16.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Doreen [MD]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 9:14 AM Message:
Thanks A lot SID.. --73.213.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by BillS [CO]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 1:07 PM Message:
Where's the "vote" or "like" button. Great reply SID. --67.161.xxx.xx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 1:26 PM Message:
Pay your handyman to do it then charge the tenant,your husband doesn't want to do it and the tenant is paying so why should he bother,it is the grossest job that needs to be done at a rental.If your husband does it the tenant will get upset when you bill them because there attitude will be it didn't cost you anything so why should they pay anything --24.92.xx.xx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by DIXIE [KS]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 5:09 PM Message:
I hire my plumber whenever they have a clog. He knows to look for what caused the clog. If it is because of the tenant....they pay. If it's tree roots [usually is!].....I pay.
I, of course, pay my guy and charge tenant to pay me. --67.143.xx.x |
Tenants Responsibility? (by LiveTheDream [AZ]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 8:21 PM Message:
My lease makes it their problem to pay any costs between their fixture and the main line. BUT "I" provide the service, either in-house (ME) or a plumber, and they are billed the costs which are due on demand and are a priority to and rent payments.
So if they clog the toilet and it costs $100. I bill them, then can either pay separately on add to the next rent. BUT if all they do is pay the rent they will get a "pay or quit" and late fees.
This is all spelled out in one or two syllable English, on a separate sheet that is incorporated as an addendum to the lease and signed separately, so there is none of this going to court and saying, "I didn't understand your honor the mean greedy landlord is ripping me off." --24.121.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Live TheDream [AZ]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 8:24 PM Message:
^^ Sorry for the spelling errors - I hate phone posting. That was supposed to read "a priority to ANY rent" and "pay separately OR add to the next rent invoice." --24.121.xxx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Rocking Bear [FL]) Posted on: Apr 2, 2015 9:38 PM Message:
I agree with Sid but check YOUR local laws to see if this is your expense and problem. --71.51.xx.xxx |
Tenants Responsibility? (by Robert,Ontario,Can [ON]) Posted on: Apr 3, 2015 12:28 AM Message:
In the apartment buildings have a plumbers type of toilet auger where once in while have to use the auger. Last time used auger was on Christmas. A good auger will cost around $50.00 dollars which is often paid for the first use. Often let the tenant wait a few hours so they need learn not to block up a toilet. With tenants they do stupid things. --74.220.xxx.xxx |
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