Let tenant deduct services rendered from rent?

[Lisa Kattenhorn]

Hi everyone,

I have heard mixed opinions on this topic and I would love some input from all of you.  One of my tenants is a licensed electrician and is willing and able to do some small jobs for me around my new rental property.  Everything will be done to code and with the proper permits.  If he does the work for me, should I let him just pay less in rent that month to cover the balance, or should I handle the rent and the payment for services as completely separate?  I can see the pluses and minuses each way, but it does seem silly for me to hand him 200 dollars so he can turn around and hand it right back to me.  I will definitely get an invoice either way so I have it for tax purposes.  Any thoughts or issues I may not be considering?  Thanks in advance!

[Mary M.]

Agree pay him for the work he does and he pays you rent. Much cleaner for all involved. 

Also, what is with the anti renter vibe here?  There are lots of reasons people would prefer to rent than buy and renting should not be an automatic “ they are losers” tag.