OTR Microwave damage

[Christine Swaidan]

Tenants just vacated property. The two year old over the range microwave has damage to the inside of the door--a dime-size indent. While it does not go all the way through it is obvious damage and I will not want the next tenants using what could be an unsafe microwave. Is a microwave something that should be prorated like you would a carpet? I'm wondering how much of the replacement cost I charge to vacating tenants.

[Thomas S.]

If the damage does not go through buy a home test unit and see if it is emitting any harmful rays. If it does not then you can not hold the tenants responsible for any prorated costs. You would be deciding unnecessarily to replace something that does not require replacement and they should not be held responsible. You can not simply charge a tenant because you "think" there is damage. "could be unsafe" does not qualify.

If on the other hand it does test to be leaking go ahead and charge them.