I rent a 1000 sq ft ranch built in 1969, inherited from my father two years ago. Prior to renting it, I had the boiler and septic systems inspected and found to be working well. My first year tenants had no issues, only they broke up and moved out. I rented it in Sept to a young couple who were high maintenance out of the gate. On day two of the tenancy they asked if they could cut a cat door in the wooden door that leads to the cellar for instance. On Thanksgiving, the boiler ignition switch required replacement, and as they were away, I went over to ensure it was done so they would have heat when they got home. In Dec the tankless coil failed on the boiler, so I had an indirect hot water heater installed immediately. Since then, it has been ongoing complaints from the wife about noise from the pipes, boiler, thermostat about every 3 weeks. It's hydrophonic baseboard heating, all copper pipes, with the water heater as its own zone. The plumber who installed the indirect hot water heater went over twice to address the banging, knocking, clanging pipes noise she claims to hear, and he told me he didn't hear anything and didn't want to deal with her anymore, as she was texting him daily and there was nothing more he could do. She sent me sound videos of the "noise," which she must be sticking her phone into the boiler, which is in the basement, because I finally went out there myself. I had her turn the heat on and off for two hours, when she said the boiler always makes knocking noise 5 minutes after the heat goes on. But she also says the pipes are banging. I heard nothing anywhere in the house. To placate her, I had the oil company run diagnostics on the boiler, and they found it in safe and working condition. The guy thought it was in amazing condition actually despite its age, as all the components have been replaced and maintained and did not recommend replacing it, although the tenant told me he did recommend replacing it. The oil guy said I wasn't going to ever satisfy her. The plumber told me the same. She is obsessed about the boiler and is constantly googling suggestions as to potential issues. I am afraid to replace it as it might introduce new "noise" or other problems and it is working fine. She is very young and doesn't seem to understand that even well maintained systems may need repair. The idea of finding new tenants is not appealing, but this is really wearing me down. I'm at the point of telling them I will let them out of the lease, although they pay on time and are caring for the house well. How do folks handle situations such as this.

Worcester, Massachusetts

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