Mold after pipe burst and tenant is uncooperative

[Esther C.]

I had a pipe burst in one of my occupied rentals and the plumber said it was a "freak accident" and there was nothing we could have done about it. It was running for a few hours before we discovered it. We immediately sent a plumber out and got the pipe repaired. We got a mitigation company out and they responded immediately. There is some mold growth. The same day it happened we offered the tenant, a hotel for her and her pets, close to her work place, for 1 week maybe longer. If she didn't want to leave we offered a $200 discount on a $2200 lease and would credit her $175 for inconvenience of having to bathe at work and do laundry off site. Now she is saying its not enough and how she had to buy "humidifiers and clean very small amount of mold on the wall with bleach. She is demanding we reduce the rent by $500. Not sure how else to respond to her. We figured we did everything to address the problem without hesitation. We are a bit worried she will not pay rent now and we may have to evict. Any advice on how to address this better? 

[Nathan Gesner]

1. A week in a hotel would cost more than $200. I suspect it would cost more than $700. Why are you willing to pay for a week of hotel but you only offer $200 discount if she stays in the home?

2. I don't do tolerate demanding tenants. I like to take care of people, but my kindness shuts down the minute they try to push me around.

I don't know all the details. If you were willing to offer a week in a hotel, I think you should offer the financial equivalent in rent discount. $500 sounds reasonable. I would give the Tenant a written letter that says you offered to put them up in a hotel, you settled for $500 discount on rent for this month, and that Tenant will not request additional compensation.