Tenants asking for rent reduction due to Maintenance issues

[Chris R.]

Hi BP - I have tenants asking for a $500 rent reduction for one month due to maintenance issues since they moved in, in September. The most recent being a leak in the roof, which caused damage to the living room ceiling.  At times a decent amount of water coming through. They were home and were able to manage the situation, so the water didn't make it's way to the floor, which I'm grateful for. However, they weren't happy  about the leak and disruption. Other issues have include; rodent's, which led to two dishwasher hose replacement, washing machine hose replacement, two garbage disposal fixes (one being tenant's fault), and a frozen pipe. I addressed and mitigated these issues within days of notification.

What have others done in a situation like this? I'm happy to provide some reduction, mainly as appreciation for managing the leak and to help make the ceiling remediation/fix process go smoother. I was thinking around $300. That said, I also don't want to sent a precedent they feel entitled to compensation for every maintenance issues.

Note, I'll be selling this property in the near future, which they will have to move out prior to the lease ending. Will have to navigate this situation in the very near future as well. 

Appreciate the insights, 

Chris

[Mark F.]

I’m taking the opposite side and say no compensation should be given. It’s a structure with 4 walls, a roof and a floor with mechanicals all around. Things will break, leak and get damaged. You said you promptly fix the issues when they were brought to your attention so you took reasonable actions. Are these things you could have reasonably prevented? Doesn’t sound like it.  Did they cause damage to their stuff? Same answer as above.

If a tenant doesn’t understand things break and will require fixing now and again, they need to move into a brand new build. You said you’re having them move out at the end of their lease, would they not expect things to break in their next place? 

I’ve had countless maintenance and repair requests over the years. I address promptly and move on. 

No credit should be given.