Guidelines for Landlords Getting a Hotel Room for Tenants

[Debra Mittleman]

I own a duplex in Fort Pierce Florida.  I have a new Section 8 tenant in one of my units and she recently contacted me to inform me that there is a crack in the tub that is leaking water onto the bathroom floor.  I immediately contacted a couple of contractors to get bids/advice on the best way to fix the problem.  One suggested a new tub but explained that it would involve tearing up current bathroom to remove tub before putting a replacement in.  That person's time estimate of that job would be a minimum of 7 days to complete.  The other contractor repairs the existing tub, guarantees the work for 3 years, and the job takes 2 hours to do but the tub has to sit untouched for 3 days in order to harden.  I choose the quicker, less expensive route of tub repair.

Because my tenant would not be able to use the tub for 3 days while it dried, I made reservations and paid for a hotel for her to stay in.  The tenant told me that any hotel I choose should be close to the freeway because she doesn't have a car and the person she rides to work with wants her close to the freeway.  I went on line and did a google search for hotels near the freeway in Fort Pierce.  The closest one was a Motel 6 and cost $50 a night.  I reserved the room for my tenant and her 2 children.  When I contacted my tenant to tell her the arrangements she said she wouldn't stay at a Motel 6 because she has not had a good experience with them, she didn't feel comfortable taking her kids there, and she wanted something with a stove since she wants to cook during the 3 days.  I said ok but since I had found a hotel for $50/ a night that if she choose something else more expensive that I would pay $50 a night and anything over that she could pay.  She said that she couldn't afford anything and that I should be the whole thing at a hotel which costs $65 a night.

1.  Am I required to pay the hotel bill if she can't use her tub?

2.  Can I choose the cheapest acceptable hotel?

3.  Her water is working she can still do wash ups while the tub is drying should I tell her to kick rocks?

I'd appreciate input and feedback from other landlords who have been in this position.  Thanks in advance.