$70 Washer Usage Education Fee

[Stephen E.]

One of my tenants called and said  that their washing machine was not working, was leaking water, and that there was a burning smell. I sent my appliance repair guy over there and he found that the tenant had loaded in a comforter and unbalanced the machine. He checked it over and found that the machine itself was in fine condition. He believes that the leak was water spilling over because it was out of balance.

Should I try to recover the $70 from the tenant? Leases in Ontario ban the imposition of fees but I could ask them to pay; all they could say is no. This is almost as bad as an elderly tenant I once had who complained of a lack of water in his washing machine and a loud clicking noise He had turned off the hot water. He then did this repeatedly, such that I stopped sending the repair man and saved the $50 call out fee.

So, to bill or not to bill, that is the question. BTW the same tenant wants to discuss a $17.00 / month rent increase (on rent of $1,095) and while he is at it would like an air conditioner replaced at a cost of $400 and greater insulation in the attic at a cost that is quoted as $595 - $1,000. He is on electric heat and the bills have been high, but of course it was a record breaking cold winter. He is proving to be an expensive customer and does not want to put in a penny extra.

I suppose on one level I should be glad that I am only out $70 and do not have to replace a machine. But the idiocy of some tenants can be quite irritating.