How To Handle Tenant Requests

[Rachel LeClaire]

I currently have one rental property right now and I am managing the property on my own. The tenants I have in place are respectable professionals and are paying good money to live there. I try and keep them happy, however when it gets to a certain extent with their requests I question if they think this is their house.. My tenant asked me to fix the steps of the patio deck as it is a hazard to their kids to fall through. Understandable so I am planning on fixing the steps. My brother (who is not a professional carpenter, but can get the job done) offered to fix the wood supports and repair the steps. The tenant questioned me and asked is your brother a professional carpenter.... Am I missing something here or is this my house and I can fix the steps however works for me? I do understand there is a liability if the steps fail but we are talking about wood deck steps here. I appreciate any honest opinions to help guide me. Thanks!

[Bryan O.]

@Rachel LeClaire it doesn't take a carpenter to fix a stair. It takes a handyman/woman. This isn't electrical or gas, this is literally a piece of exposed wood. I agree with the above, just let them know that it is being fixed and leave it at that.