Potential tenant asking for cabinet upgrades, should I do it?

[Yuzi Stha]

Hi,

I have a potential tenant to occupy one of the vacant unit in Eastern MA area, it's a 3 bed 1 bath apartment. Tenant is requesting me to upgrade the cabinets in the kitchen because she thinks cabinets are old. As per the condition of cabinets, they are fully functional and not broken or anything. I told her I won't be able to do the cabinets right away, but maybe in the near term future and for now I will just reduce the rent by $100 and once the cabinets are upgraded I will increase the rental price by $150. After the reduction if they were to get it now, it would be 2500 or so. 

From y'all experience, is it a good thing that tenant is requesting cabinets to be upgraded even before they move-in. I have also attached the photo of the cabinets of how it looks, do you guys think it is worth upgrading them now and just increase the rent a lil bit. I am just thinking they might start asking for more upgrades in the future which might not be doable, kitchen upgrade is quite expensive it would probably cost around 10K with cabinet and countertop . Also, any suggestion if it is worth just refacing them with new cabinet doors rather than upgrading them fully.

Much appreciated. 

-Yuzi

[Joe Villeneuve]

No.  Never let a tenant negotiate the rent based on their emotions.  The rent is set...and don't lower the rent...and never promise to do something down the road based on their emotions.  They will hound you to do it, and will want to be consulted with their opinion when you do.

The rent is set.  They can take it or leave it.  Frankly, if this tenant is starting with this right now, you can be thankful that they are.  They are telling you upfront they are going to be one of the worse tenants you will ever experience.

Tell them a big fat "NOOOO",... and pray they get mad and don't sign your lease.