Tenant Broke Kitchen Faucet But Lied About It

[Ben Gilmore]

After I paid to replace a kitchen faucet, the plumber indicated to me that the tenant "kinda admitted" that his kids had used the faucet to climb up to the sink.  I called the tenant and asked if someone may have pulled the handle off the sink somehow.  He said he didn't know.  I also asked if someone may have been standing on the counter and he said he didn't know.

Based on pictures, from the plumber it makes perfect sense.  I'd like to send a letter to the tenants telling them what I discovered and that I expect them to pay for the repairs to the sink as well as the replacement of the wood floor that is now warped.  

If this was your tenant, how would you handle it?  This is not the first "unexplained" damage to the house and I live in a different state from the tenant.  Thanks for your perspective.

[Jeff B.]

You will need to depreciate the value of the kitchen faucet and flooring if you plan to bill
bill the tenant.  Be prepared for pushback as "kinda admitted" does not hold up well if you go to court.  They either admitted to damaging the faucet or did not and the plumber would need to provide an affidavit specifiying the damage to the kitchenn faucet was caused by misuse or negligence of the tenant.