The False Alarm: When a Tenant Calls 911

[Cole Fisher]

(Background)

Lo and behold... 

I finally committed to my first real estate purchase.  At 25, it was time to move away from home and I bought a neat 2 unit rancher, with an attached in-laws quarter (unit #3).  While I flirted with the idea of house hacking for quite some time, Scott Trench's, "Set for Life" gave me the extra nudge needed to make this dream a reality.  (Plug--Thanks Scott and the BP Family).  As the entrepreneurial journey of my real estate career begins, I am having a blast! I'm enjoying the responsibility and I plan to steer my business from the "slumlord" mentality (that many investors in our area have) to a quality portfolio with quality tenants.  My goal is to provide my tenants with a beautiful place at a premium price, a feat I think is extremely manageable for the neighborhood I am located in.  While this is how I scripted my business plan, I did inherit tenants. 

Queue in the false alarm!

(Problem)

One month later....

This past Tuesday, around 11:30pm, I realize there is a Fire Police vehicle parked at my neighbors house. Followed by one firetruck--two firetrucks--

**Imagine the nosey landlord peaking through his or her blinds (thats me)**

 I calmly watch them as they enter unit #1. My building... my tenants... is everything alright? I get out of bed and go outside to gather intel on the situation.  

"Nothing is wrong." is the response from the fire marshal when I asked about the issue.

I tell them my situation as the landowner, and they proceed to tell me that my tenant called in because there was a weird flicker with there gas stove and the flame was burning orange.  In addition one of the tenants had a headache so they speculated there was a carbon monoxide leak.  Fortunately for everyones health, the unit was tested in every location and there was no leak. I am relieved of any anxiety.  

Now, I keep getting asked who pays for the expense of the fire department. And to be honest, I'm not sure there will be a charge. I'm researching and researching, and I can find no suggestions saying that there will be a charge for the false alarm.  Before I call in to the township, I'm wondering if anyone has information regarding a similar situation? How do you deal with a situation like this? I'm curious to see if anyone has other false alarm stories like this?  I look forward to hearing your responses.

Thanks in advance!

Cole

[Thomas S.]

There is no reason you should ever consider it is your cost to cover when nothing is found. Tenants are responsible for their own actions.

Had they found something wrong that was your responsibility that would be a different matter.

There will not likely be a cost.