Tenant keeps breaking screens

[Melissa N.]

When we rented the property I know the screen door was fine but the tenant reported it was broken. Since I didnt have a picture, I sent someone to fix it. They came did a few things including the screen. A few days later the tenant complained the screen was broken again and wants it repaired. 

I know, I should have told her she needed to fix it in the first place bc I know my dog messed it up a few times and her dog is probably doing the same. But, what now?

[Colleen F.]

One free pass, when they moved in you repaired it even though it wasn't broken when the last tenant left but you fixed it anyway the first time they complained as you did not have proof.  The repair person fixed it, when they left  the tenant did not call to dispute that. The tenant needs to either prove it wasn't fixed or pay for the fix themselves. They can send a picture showing a defect,  bet it shows it was pushed through or torn by the dog jumping. Screens don't withstand jumping dogs or kids who bang on them. Unless it is a defect in the repair it is something they did. Really this is a door how many times a day do you use it?  If it wasn't repaired they should have called you that night after the repair person left.

Tell them you will be happy to send the repair person at their expense, it is damage. You need to call them on this now or they are going to be PIAs for their tenancy. They know this is their damage. I would clearly say look I didn't  believe it was broke when you moved in but I had no proof of that but I know my repair person fixed it so now you will have to pay for the additional repair (calm cool and restating the facts and your position.) Someone had to have pushed the screen through and screens are not designed to be pushed on. It is not about this repair it is about them walking all over you for the duration of the tenancy.