tenant keeps complaining about dishwasher...

[James W.]

I have a tenant that complained about a dishwasher being not the best, so I had it replaced.

Now they are complaining that the new one doesn't work properly, i.e. the soap isn't dissolving. Received a letter from them stating they will have it replaced if I don't fix by a specific date (yesterday).

I sent my plumber there, he ran it and his official opinion is that the dishwasher is working fine, and the tenant should try a different soap.

The tenant called again, is still not happy with the dishwasher.

Ugh.

My thought is to send an official letter stating that the unit was professionally inspected and the recommendation is to change soap, and also further visits will be billed to tenant at $XX.

How do you handle these matters?

Thanks in advance!

[James R.]

James, your original post was as if I had written it myself!  I have a tenant who has   complained recently the exact same way yours has about the dishwasher.  I did the exact same thing you did, in terms of having a repairman inspect it.  The brand is Galaxy which is also manufactured by Frigidaire.  I have never gotten complaints from previous tenants about the dishwasher not cleaning the dishes.  It is now 7 years old and still working perfectly. 

Believe it or not, some people have never seen or used a dishwasher and do not know how to properly load it.  This tenant sent me photos...yada, yada, the detergent tablet (recommended by the repairman) didn't even dissolve etc..  

After examining the photos, I could see that this tenant had a cookie sheet against the door of the dishwasher, which blocked the detergent compartment door from flipping open. 

I sent her an e-mail on how to properly load a dishwasher.  It seems she has never used a clothes washing machine either, as she has numerous questions about that too.  

I am going to raise her rent in two months, when her lease is up. PITA tenants like this need to pay more or move.  In fact, if she moves I can raise the rent even more and will have no problem finding a tenant who meets my criteria and is not a PITA. 

Best wishes!