State Specific Question About: CALIFORNIA (CA)

Hello

I have an issue I need help resolving.

I'm at a loss on how to best handle this as I've never dealt with this issue.

My tenant disposed of my Stacking Apartment Size Washer & Dryer set included with rental agreement.

I noticed yesterday that my unit was gone.

When I asked him where it was he told me he thought he told me they both broke & he recycled them.

I have, as per contact, a Monthly Maintenance-Repair form that is used  to inform me of issues concerning the property.

Everthing is to be in writing.

He did not inform me about any problems with the unit.

I'm wondering what I can do as far as charging him for the unit?

I'm not sure if it was broke or if I could have fixed it.

The unit was not new but was in excellent condition when he moved in.

How do you advice me to handle this?

I have not responded to him yet.

I'm cooling off 1st

Thanks in advance.

Send a notice explaining you had a service contract to be used the in the event repairs were needed. Send an invoice for the depreciated value of the appliances and set a time to respond. ( 15 days ) If not paid start an eviction. If you deduct from their deposit you will have less funds available in the event of damage when they move out.

What are they using for a washer-dryer?

Their actions would scare me about what other things they might decide to do. I would not replace until you are paid.

They have a full sized set they are using.

I did not look closely at them.

I was surprised to see different applisnces & not mine.

That's why I asked tenant where my unit was.

RB (MI)

Definitely as for my rental business.

I'm just not sure of the legalities in this situation.

I was hoping another California landlord had dealt with this c legally.

Thank you all for replying.

This is what tenant wrote to me.

Hi Karin,

Honestly I thought I mentioned this a long time ago. The washer/dryer died several years ago. The drum broke free of the mounts. The dryer died shortly thereafter. I had it recycled. I honestly thought I had said something and assumed we'd sort it out whenever we moved. Sorry about that.

I can either source a replacement or reimburse you for it. Just me know.

Can you send me a blank form or do you just want an email message?

I heard this same story last year when I found out the old oak tree died in the yard & the wood fence faking over.

He says, Geez, I thought I told you...

I WILL notice him to move, but after I try to resolve the appliance issue to my benefit.

I would determine a fair price and have the tenant reimburse you. Let them use their appliances and when they move or take them with them.

You are required to test the smoke detectors every six months or have your designated employee do it. This gives you a reason to be inside the property in smg. o observe the interior.

I'm not sure why he says years,but it definitely has not been years.

I was there in October 2015 & mid March off this year.

it took him awhIle to get back to me when I left message a about W/D unit.

Usually he is very prompt.

I'm so flabbergasted by his comments to me & what's he's done.

I've been coming here to Mr. Landlord since 1999.

I've read all kinds of stuff, but was always very fortunate with my renters.

Until this guy!

This last 9 months he's just been different.

I've had no other issues.

My renter next door says he & his wife never come out side except when to going somewhere. This is a house, not an apartment.

I will be really interested in the truth regarding my W/D units disappearance.

I also provide a set of laundry equipment with most of my (SFR) Single Family Homes rented out here in Southern California. In the lease I always provide information about the care and maintenance of my appliances.

If the appliance is still under warrantee, I provide the Contract information with the name and phone number of the repair department.

If the appliance has no warranty anymore, I either:

a) provide the appliance as a courtesy and ask the tenant

to take care of the repairs themselves.

b) ask the tenant to contact me for the repair of the

appliance, I am a licensed contractor.

When one of my tenants disposes of an appliances and then buys themselves a replacement, without my permission, I then have to examine the current value of the old appliance.

If my depreciated loss is over $500, then I make an issue of this, document it and deduct the value from the deposit. I also advise my tenants not to dispose of any other appliance -- like the refrigerator, microwave oven,

dishwasher or oven/stove.

If the value is a couple of hundred bucks and the tenants were there for more than 2 or three years,

then I just eat the loss.

What you wrote here about this guy has alarm bells ringing for me. He sounds just like a guy who rented from me a few years back - he was the guy who drove me to this website, in fact.

Always, "I told you that, you must have forgotten." "Oh, I meant to tell you. I'll get it taken care of." Said nicely, but as I realized later, with absolutely no sincerity. Explained away damage as mysterious happenings ("not sure why the insulation is ripped up in that crawl space. My kids do play with one boy down the street who is kind of wild.").

If this guy is anything like my tenant, he will turn out to be manipulative, a smooth liar, and vindictive when he is crossed. Tread carefully. Get good advice from an experience CA eviction lawyer on this one, if it comes to that.

Oh my, I am so sorry to hear about what the tenant did. It's amazing how some can lie so well, and I understand how you might feel. Take a moment to catch yourself if you get angry and let the emotion pass especially when you know that you're in the right. You could read these forums as therapy as there's no logic to the situation. Just stand firm in the truth and numbers.

I think that Brad and others have mentioned that it's better to be rich than right. Maybe you could pitch a deal along the lines of what others have posted about recovering compensation of what he did. Maybe you could outline the timeline in case you are ever taken to court? Also, you could think about getting rid of this guy legally.

Yea right, he sold your units to have some cash to go buy full sized appliances is more like it.

Do your homework---come up with a figure of replacement, less however many years old your equipment was for depreciation. Write a Dear Tenant letter advising him of the extra moneys due with his next month rent--let him know it DOES NOT come out of the damage deposit and that you will file for eviction if the full amount owed is not paid--if you do not get it, issue a 3-day notice or whatever your state requires. If the deposit does not cover any monies owed, go after a judgment.

Going forward--add to your lease that tenant must advise you IN WRITING AND IMMEDIATELY of any issues within the unit. No exceptions, no stories.

Oh my, Wilma[PA], I'm breathing a sigh of relief for you that you're done with that tenant who drove his own home affairs into the ground. Tenants can sure lie really well, and thanks for sharing your experience.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I'm going to bill the tenant for the washer dryer unit.

I'm getting information on the same units used.

I'm going to send a written demand for the average price.

I'll see if he pays it or not.

Then, I'll have to decide whether he stays or goes.

If his attitude & rental responsiblility doesn't improve I'll help him out with a happy clause!