Knock money off rent?

[Nick Causa]

Quick question: We’re new to landlording and a pump in our tenant’s unit broke leaving them unable to use the kitchen sink for 5 days until the plumber can replace it. We bought the house 2 months ago knowing the pump situation isnt best and were going to replace it during a renovation anyway. Didnt think it would crap out so quickly Haven’t dealt with this in the past but should we knock $ off the rent? If so how much? Should it be a percentage? Or nothing at all?

[Ned J.]

In my opinion....NO. The rent is the rent.. period.

I would however compensate them for the hassle....gift card to dinner, movie, amazon...whatever.

How much depends on how big of a hassle they went through and how long. Stuff happens.... as long as you are as vigilant as possible to get issues taken care of as soon as possible, then you are holding up your end....many hassle are out of your control.

So is it just not being able to use the kitchen sink? and that's it?....not a big deal..... $50 maybe.....

My point is that the rent is not negotiable...keep that separate from any expenses that you reimburse them for. Its semantics' but a different mindset. If you knock $$ off the rent, many tenants will start to find other stuff to try and get "credit" on the rent and it will escalate..... "hey I replaced that broken light, so can I knock $50 off the rent this month?"

Got no problem with "thanking the tenant" in small ways to keep the relationship happy... but stuff happens in life...get over it