Tenant paying below market but begging for updates.

[Sergiu Ionita]

Hi BP! I purchased a duplex 2 months ago and have an inherited tenant who has been begging for updates like new paint, flooring, blinds, squeaky floor boards...she is paying approximately $500 below market. I let her know that if she wants all of that taken care of, her rent will go up to the current rates for the area which is $400-$500 more than what she is currently paying. She wrote me back saying that she doesn't want any dramatic changes in that case...Just the squeaky floor fixed, blinds, and paint in the kitchen and in her master bedroom. She said that the walls were dirty when she moved in. The unit she lives in was built in 07 and she occupied in 09. Her move-in walkthrough sheet that she signed with the previous owner says all of those things were in good condition. I realize it's 2015 and that unit should have been painted since then, but then again she's paying way under market. Any advice? Thanks

[JD Martin]

Some of those things are general maintenance and should be included for a good paying tenant, regardless of what they are paying. Repairs and maintenance are not updates. New flooring, that depends - what is on the floor now? 

I think that if she wants general maintenance, and you are unwilling to provide it, you should give her a reasonable notice to vacate, do whatever needs to be done, and then rent it back out at the market rates. Curiously, are you certain you can re-rent this unit for $400-500 more than what you are getting now? If so, why wouldn't you just give her the option of paying more or vacating anyway, irrespective of the "updates"?