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Updated about 2 years ago,

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5
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Marc Flynn
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5
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Complaining Tenants - Options to use against security deposit

Marc Flynn
Posted

I have a tenant that complains about a lot. I have been very nice about fixing everything that concerns her. I just acquired the property in December, fixed it, and leased it in June

There have been a lot of items that they complain about like:

AC not cold enough upstairs (this was repaired)

Sprinkler busted (I believe this is a tenant expense but I fixed anyways)

Water Heater not hot enough (I added a re-circulation pump, and didnt mind doing this)

Saw too many bugs (It overlooks a creek and has a nice backyard view, but with that creek comes bugs so I pay for monthly pest sprays)

Mice infestation (I paid for a comprehensive $6k package to take care of this)

House cleaning (she didnt like the cleaning that the pest control did so I hired full house cleaning for her)

Second house cleaning (for the end of the pest process, I have the maid giving me an update on if they're clean tenants or not)

Mold Inspection (she claims there's mold so I did a mold check and it was 100% clean)

Toilet Leaking (I paid for a plumber but isn't this a tenant expense?)

Drain Clogged ( I paid for a plumber but isn't this a tenant expense?)

The other day she saw a roach dropping, which roaches are common in Texas. She wrote to me that she felt this was unsanitary, and has concerns for her health. Over 1 dropping.I feel like she's using these words strategically to document it. What do I do about this? I told her she could move up her monthly spray if she was concerned but I feel like I shouldn't be notified for every bug 


She also complained that there's no cover on the bottom of a small bar fridge, and the dishwasher. This is the only complaint I haven't responded to. Does anyone know the purpose of a cover? She accepted house as-is so that should be good enough, no? I feel like I should just send her a link to Amazon, and tell her that if she prefers covers on her appliances then she should feel free to buy one. 

I have already given her a chance to move out and she didn't take it. I'm wondering if there's any way to claim these expenses against their security deposit. My next option is waiting until April when the renting season is hotter and give them another out. Some complaints are justified, but I feel like it's getting to the point where she's finding 100 ways to complain to make my life hard, or if she's going to ask for a credit (she already has). 

Any advice would be helpful, along with tips to make my next lease landlord friendly. 

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