Refrigerator doesn't fit!

[Don Daniels]

Just got a renter in a newly acquired rental. They texted me saying their refrigerator doesn't fit in the designated space. I don't have the details yet on the dimensions of the space or their fridge. We'll do our property condition walk through this evening. What would you suggest if 1) the space isn't wide enough for a standard fridge (google says 30-36") or 2) their fridge is wider than normal? Per the lease they accepted as-is so I'm not obligated, however I want to do the right thing and don't want to run into the issue again with a future renter if it's my problem. There is a mini wall and doorframe on the right side, when facing the fridge, and kitchen cabinets to the left with new granite countertops. Possible that the lip of the countertops cut into the space. Will determine that this evening.

[Account Closed]

Did they see the unit before they rented it?  If so, they should have brought a measuring tape.

Or did they rent it sight-unseen, and your contract guaranteed that their fridge would fit in that space?  If so, then it is your problem.

I'm betting that it's not your problem.  In that case, I learned how to respond to tenants who pull this kind of thing, assuming it's up to me to fix the situation.

"Gee, that's unfortunate."

Pause.

"But, what are you going to do about it????  We want our fridge to fit in that space!!!"

"I can see that it's a really inconvenient problem for you.  It's really too bad you didn't measure the space."

Pause.

"But, we need you to cut that counter so our fridge fits!!"

"Oh, no, I'm afraid that's not possible."

Pause.

Don't take on the problem.  Don't start trying to come up with solutions for them.  They are trying to make their problem - your problem.

Just keep shaking your head and saying noncommittal things like, "Wow, that really is a shame."  And, "No, we don't alter our units."

Don't even say, "Well you could sell it on Craigslist," or "They have easy financing at Home Depot," etc., because then you're sucked into their arguments as to why all other alternatives won't work.  Just don't even go there.

If they get completely crazy, just offer to let them out of the lease.  "Well, if it's really not going to work out for you here, then I can let you out of the lease.  Then, you just have to pay rent until I find another tenant.  Is that what you'd like to do?"

In other words, "Nope, I'm not taking on this problem.  If you can't work it out, you can move, and pay rent until I find another tenant."

In renting 25 units for 8 years, I only ever had one tenant take me up on the "happy clause" - the "if you're not happy here, I'll work with you on moving somewhere else" clause.  She actually wanted me to tell another tenant to get rid of their air conditioning unit, because the noise was bothering her.  Same air conditioner she'd been listening to for a year.  Nope, wasn't going to tell the other tenant to get rid of their air conditioner.  She was livid.  I offered her the happy clause and she took it.

No other tenant ever did.  Normally they just look at you like a deer in the headlights, go silent and completely stunned.  That's when I'd normally say, "Well you think about whether or not you want out of the lease, but I'll need to know in the next few days so I can call back the other applicants that I turned down and see if they're still interested."

But, if you start being their go-to man for their problems, you'll be putting in way more time and energy dealing with their constant drama than you ever wanted to sign on for.

Believe me, I learned this the hard way.