Kitchen Reno with Existing Tenants

[Cassandra Vickers]

I’m planning to do a pretty extensive kitchen renovation, the current kitchen is not functional and current tenants don’t have enough counter and cabinet space,plus the unit has no washer/dryer, which I add with this renovation. The location of water line/sink will be changed (likely not useable during reno), but the gas stove will remain in the same location (likely useable during reno). I’m wondering if it is ok for the tenants to not have access to a functioning kitchen for some time. I’m not sure how long the renovation will take, but looking for some guidance on what is acceptable, given I already have tenants in the unit. Hoping to avoid having to put them up somewhere else with a functioning kitchen. 

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Cassandra Vickers:

The best option is to wait for their lease to end, move them out, renovate, the place a new renter with a rent increase.

If you have to do it now, you should get a pretty solid timeline from the contractor. Then explain it to your tenant to ensure they are willing to accept it. They may accept it and not even ask for compensation. If they do ask for compensation, or you choose to offer it, I recommend you consider something fair based on the % of the house they've lost use of. If you can move the fridge and stove and keep them functional, then it's less of an inconvenience. Assuming they have a fridge but no stove, I would recommend compensating them at the cost of at least one meal out every day for the length of the job. If it's a family of four, that might be $50 - $100 per day.

Again, it's much easier and cheaper to do it during a vacancy.