Tree fell on tenant’s car but we want to help

[Leslie Johnson]

This is so ironic: yesterday I scheduled a guy to come cut down two big elms on the property and today a tree branch fell on the tenants car. This branch came from a giant maple which, has proved itself to be rotting. So now we’re gonna be out about $4000 to take this monstrous tree down. So we were unaware of any problems with this tree, and I’m pretty sure the car damage is his responsibility (act is god) however, he only has liability insurance and the car was worth maybe $1500. This guy has been a great tenant. We want to make it right, but with needing to take the monster maple down and the other two elms, that’s about $7000. His car is done for, we want to help, but also, these costs are hurting us... What would you do for this tenant?

[Bob B.]

I'm betting $1500 won't make a significant difference in the quality of your life whereas it will in his.  Sometimes we do something for someone when we don't have to.  There are some here who will say, "hell no" but you need to do what you feel is right even though you don't need to.