Replacing a perfectly working shower head

[Ryan Brown]

Good evening all, minor question. I’m a landlord and my tenant is asking if I can change the shower head in the bathroom.

Nothing is currently wrong with the shower head, she just wants it changed to a detachable shower head. Is it my responsibility to change that shower head?

My partner told me if nothing is wrong with the shower head then I don’t have to pay for a new shower head. He also said if the tenant wants a new one, they should buy it and I will be responsible for installing it for them.

Can any other professionals confirm this?

Looking forward to your replies, thank you.

[Evan Polaski]

@Ryan Brown, I am not an NYC landlord and know you are subject to different laws than I am in Ohio.

But, typically, as long as their shower head is fully functional, I cannot see any reason why you would be required to replace it for them.  I had a similar request from one of my tenants on a new light fixture in kitchen.  I told her she could buy it, hire a licensed electrician to install at her cost, and have licensed electrician replace with original light upon moving out, also at her cost.

I will note that in general, while you are always able to be nicer to your tenants, and there are times I think this is worthwhile, if you are not required to under NYC laws, I would not set precedent that you do these things for the tenant at any out of pocket cost or work for you.  Most tenants are good, but some will take a mile when you give them an inch.