How to ask a tenant to fix something

[Michael Bowser]

Hello everyone,
I'm a new landlord and I'm just trying to find the best way to politely ask a tenant to fix something. I recently encountered that the deadbolt on the door is broken and what happened was the door must have been slammed shut with the deadbolt open and it cracked the door as well as breaking the deadbolt. So I am trying to go about having them fix it in a nice way. I have to go back to the apartment anyways and fix a drainage issue on the tub but I'm trying to find a way while I'm there to inform them that they need to fix the door or get the cost of it being fixed to me to fix it. 

Also does anyone else fix drainage issues in tubs and sinks that are due to normal wear due to hair and everything else.

Thanks 

[Camille Joos-Visconti]

I would advise them that the unit needs to be able to be secured properly and since this is tenant incurred damage, they are responsible for fixing it. I'd give a 30 day notice to repair, and offer to do it myself and bill them or they could have their own person do it.

As far as drains go, install hair catchers and advise that all plumbing issues that are tenants fault (such as hair, grease etc) are repaired and billed to the tenant. I made the mistake of fixing clogs myself and then my tenants expected me to always clear their clogs!! I informed them that I would no longer do it, installed catchers, and advised next clog they need to call a plumber or I will and I'd bill them. They were much more careful after that!