How to handle this situation: City Fines and responsibility

[Jake Thomas]

Here is the situation.

My tenants are normally trouble free except they continually park on the grass to the one side of my driveway. This is a city infraction which the city mails me a letter to let me know of the infraction then gives me two weeks to fix the problem before a follow up inspection. After getting the letter I inform the tenants so they can resolve the issue.Their lease specifies all city fines will be passed on to them for this particular issue.

About 12 months ago I received the first warning letter from the city for the same tenants parking on the grass. This was fixed and no issues till last month when the same letter was sent. This time they did not fix the issue and a fine was mailed to me (homeowner) for $215. I was able to get the fine reversed after discussing the issue with the city inspector and getting him to remove the fine since it was my first violation.

My question is the tenants think they are still responsible for this fine and is it ethical to charge them for it even though I was able to get it removed? I am not treating this as a money grab to make an extra $215, more so to teach a lesson so I can avoid this in the future.

How does everyone else feel?

[Dawn Anastasi]

I would send them a copy of the letter and let them know that the city fined you because of their actions.  Let them know that you've given them multiple warnings and since they can't seem to refrain from breaking the rules, that maybe this property isn't right for them and they need to find somewhere to live that has more parking space.  Ask them if they want to move or pay the fine.

If they agree to move then you can find someone who is willing to live there and not rack up city fines.  If they agree to pay the fine, tell them you'll cover this one, but next time they're either going to pay or they're out (and you'll deduct the fine from their security deposit).