Landlord Question and Answer Forum

Tennet has been in House 6 months now. Bathtub. Laundry and sink in kitchen backing up. She called a plumber. Rescue rooter was not a emergency. She left me 4 msg. I was ill in bed. Called as soon as I got her msg. Prior to this the drains were draining slow.and I told her to get some of that good plumber stuff to get it unclogged. She obviously didn't do this. Anyways I finally talk to her and she's saying she just paid 250.00 and the showers were still plugged. So I called plumber he said she declined to pay the 150.00 to do showers she said she didn't have the money. She's. Telling me she's taking it off the rent. I went ahead and paid the 150.00 because I felt sorry for her.come on 400.00 for a clean out.How stupid. Besides that she did not get my permission to call a plumber. Plus once I paid for 150.00 to get everything taken care of. The plumber said the clogg was caused by Tennets . He pulled out a big wad of hair and grease. I told her the 250.00 Is on her. Problem caused by Tennets negligence. I Have in writing from plumber she still says she's deducting it from the rent. So whose at fault. And can I raise the rent 100.00 the rent now is 1900.00 all three bedrooms and 2 full baths in our area are at least 2100.00 a month.Kaprice. thanki .

Is she a good tenant otherwise, or one you'd rather not have around? If you'd rather have a better tenant, I would simply not renew her lease agreement at the earliest opportunity and have her vacate, and keep the $250 from her security deposit. If she's a good tenant in every other way, maybe just raise the rent a little bit when the lease agreement is set to renew.

Posted by Gregory T, CA on Monday, November 8, 2010