Which is better? Pay or charge less rent?

[Jean-Marie Poth]

I am wondering which is a better option.  Is it better to pay a tenant to take care of certain things around a duplex or should I charge the tenant less rent?  I am wondering from a tax advantage point of view. If I charge less, I am bringing in less income.  If I pay them, I am looking at them as an expense for my business.  So, which direction is better and why?

[Greg R.]

Neither. You take care of the problem yourself. Get a good handyman and when problems arise call the handyman and have him take care of it and pay him directly. Very foolish to expect tenants to be honest if they are claiming that repairs need to be made and then you take money off their rent or pay them. Trust me, those are both very bad ways to go about repairs.