What do you do for your tenants if their heat goes out?

[Jordan L.]

What do you offer your tenants if their heat goes out? I’m replacIng a furnace in one of my units, and my tenants, who just moved in last month, have asked me to place them in a hotel until the work is done. While I’m not looking at doing so, I absolutely don’t want them stuck without heat, so I’ve purchased them 4 good space heaters which should sufficiently warm the home until my HVAC guy can get the install done. My tenants are wanting the problem remedied as soon as possible, but the replacement may not be done for a week and a half or two weeks. If they ask, should I agree to any additional concessions? I’d love to hear from more experienced landlords. I want to do the right thing and keep a good relationship with my tenants, but all within reason of course.

[John Underwood]

You need an HVAC guy that can put it in in a couple days not 1.5 weeks.

Are the space heaters keeping the place warm? Have you checked to confirm?

They may have a high electric bill because you are taking so long to get this fixed. They may ask you to compensate them for the difference in electricity which I think is fair. So you HVAC guy is costing you money and causing I'll will. I would find someone else that can take care of this ASAP.