What would you say to this tenant's email??

Question

Got this email from the tenant.... What would you say??

I'd say one of the worst parts of the job is doling out responsibilities when there's repairs

Atwan,

Just wanted to let you know that we had a  shower tile break last night.  We just noticed it today and I have  attached a picture.  We were putting a nail in the wall in the hallway  to hang a picture last night and it looks like the nail punctured  through the tile.  I don't know why the wall is so thin, a wall  shouldn't be less than 3 inches or so from another wall but the shower  tile was only 1-2 inches behind the drywall from what I can see.  It's a  tile in the built-in shelf area.  It shouldn't be exposed to too much  water so I don't think it's necessarily an immediate concern, but we  wanted to let you know so that the process of repairing it can start.   Thanks.

-John

Peter Albanese · Answer

IMHO I think a tenant should be able to hang a picture on a wall without worrying about a nail going through a wall. I would replace the tile so its done correctly (don't leave it up to the tenant) and move on. Then tell tenant, you shouldn't hang anything on this wall...sorry. It's better to fix the issue than start getting water problems in bathroom in the future. Plus its a cheap fix and more expensive to replace the tenant if they are not happy.

Theresa Nicoletto · Answer

i would call the tenant up and say, "Great! I will be sending Juan over after 4pm today. Is it ok if I give him your number so you two can coordinate directly?

Great. it doesn't sound like there is too, too much damage and it shouldn't take more thsn a few hours. I will have a repair bill for you by tomorrow am.

Did you want to do direct deposit, credit card or PayPal for that? Just want to make payment is easy for you and it's all set up.

::::Mic drop.

Tyler Ansell · Answer

@Atwan Kwan to be honest man that doesn't look too bad, probably a quick repair and low expense. Sounds like an honest accident and I'd just take care of it.

Rich N. · Answer

was the bathroom framed right?  How can it be only 3 inches?  Is the tenant correct about the depth?  That seems like a lot of force to go through the other end and then the tile end ?

nail gun or longer nail than tenant says ?

Deanna McCormick · Answer

I doubt this is a cheep fix,, where you gonna find a tile to match..

Your going to have to grind out mortar, mastic a  new one in that I doubt you will find a match for it and then re grout..it's in a worse than awful spot on an inside and in a corner.. you'll probalby have to take several tiles out..tile work is tricky once you start to force one tile the others chip..  I might do the whole inside of the shower shelf cubbie,, so you can match something to that area..or glue that tile back in and put new tile over the section. or your stuck putting that tile back in as cracked.. gonna stick out like a diamond in a goats xxx..

It took some force to drive a nail that hard to crack that tile.

He's responsible,, send him the bill

Lucky he didn't hit a plumbing line.. we've had that and it's a mess.. and the guy was sent the bill

good luck..

John Sanderson · Answer

I'd say he oughtta go grab some mortar and a new tile. I have 2 questions:

1. How high up is that built in shelf? If it's not around eye level, I'd say his story sounds pretty bogus

2. Is it on the same side as the plumbing for the(I assume) shower?

If he actually did break the tile trying to hang up a picture, it sounds like it wasn't malicious. If he's a good tenant and you'd really like to keep him, maybe offer to pay half of the cost to fix it. If not, I'd tell him he's wholly responsible for the repair.

Thomas B. · Answer

Is the broken tile inside the shelf area? If so it makes perfect sense as the shelf goes into the wall between studs. If you can not match the tile inside the shelf you may be able to find a complementary or accent tile for the small area. That being said it will cost more than the tenant thinks to do it right. Best of luck!

P.S. It should be the tenants responsibility to cover this but I might split the cost depending on the tenant.

Thomas S. · Answer

You make it clear to all tenants at the beginning of their lease that they are not permitted to do any work in the apartment including driving nails to hang pictures.

@Theresa Nicoletto..... has given the appropriate response to any tenant that has done damage to a unit.  It makes absolutely no difference what type of tenant you have, good bad or indifferent, they must be held accountable for damages. Responsibility is not dependant on a individuals personality.

Is a good tenant absolved from their responsibilities when they break a bay window with a ball, set the kitchen counter on fire, flood the bathroom and destroy the down stairs ceiling, set fire to the carpet, back their car into a garage door, no of course not. A tenant is responsible for all damage.

Atwan Kwan · Answer

@John Sanderson

What would you say to this tenant's email??

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