Tenant Wants to do Free Work

[Peter L.]

So I have a tenant in a half duplex far from where I live. Always had a good relationship and the place looks good every time I go up. This week I get a call from a neighbor who has a laundry list of derogatory patterns of my tenant and complaints. I call tenant and ensure they understand that this happened and restate done if the conditions of the lease. So that issue is out to bed. He's been responsive in the past so I'm confident he will be this time as well.

Then today he emails saying that his father who owns an asphalt company is willing to seal my driveway for no cost just because. I understand that this could be a manipulation tactic, or he really just wants to show that he is interested in staying, but I'm curious about the opinions of those more versed in tenant law, is this a bad idea to accept (add I suspect), and if so, why?

Thanks

[Nicole A.]

What were the neighbor's complaints?
Either way, no, do not accept free work from your tenant's father. That spells nothing but trouble! Also, do not let tenants do work in exchange for reduced rent. If I have a tenant who truly is a plumber/painter/whatever, I hire him as one and pay him as one...completely separate from our rental contract. But even this is rare for me to do.