Filtering tenant requests: what’s necessary/what’s not

[Damon Raynor]

Hi! 

I’m new to being a landlord. I purchased a duplex with an existing tenant. That tenant is requesting a number of things that I am trying to determine if they are my duty as landlord to address immediately or if they are items of preference. Here are a couple of examples with my general thought associated with each:

1. Replace existing working deadbolt with a heavier duty one. (My duplex has common building entrance and then separate apt entrances. Tenant is asking about their apt entrance. Current deadbolt works, but she says she feels unsafe)

2. Ceiling fan in kitchen

3. Replace outlets that don’t hold a plug

4. Protecting outlet close to bathroom shower.

5. Replacing a working but visually I pleasing toilet.

6. New blinds

7. Painting rooms

8. Fix slight crack in window

I believe numbers (3) and (4) are immediate needs. Outside of that, everything else is preference to me. I am generally trying to get a feel for how to deal with these kinds of requests. What are my legal obligations? What are landlord best practices? How do I properly respond when there’s a request I’m not going to address?