Liable for tenant’s high hotspot cost due to internet setup delay?

[Kevin James]

My tenant wants a refund of $175 for a lapse of 4 days without internet for the cost she incurred by using her mobile hotspot. The wifi was scheduled to be set up on the day of her move in but because of a strike at AT&T, they weren't able to come until several days later. The contract states that internet is included in her rent.

Am I actually obligated to cover the full amount? I’d like to help her out with a part of it, but the full $175 seems high. Any advice on handling this? 

[Greg Scott]

You are not required to reimburse residents for their poor decisions.  

Let's take it to the extreme. Your resident might say they had to fly all over the country to attend meetings in person since their internet was out.  Would you reimburse for that?  No. 

She could have chosen a much cheaper solution, like go to a coffee shop. Or, she could have asked you about it in advance to reimburse hot spot costs.  Realistically, you probably should reimburse her for the value of the internet you owned.  If internet is $60 per month, in a 30 day month, you should reimburse here $2 per day or $8.

If you choose to offer her more as a customer satisfaction olive branch, that is up to you.