Tenant demanding before paying rent

[Maxim K.]

Hello group , can I get an advice .

My tenant sent me this text message this morning :

“I'm not speaking on Chris's behalf but I will not pay rent until things are fixed in the house they have been on going issues for months now. We have paid rent on time every single month. I have animals running across my ceiling which I told you about last winter. The leak is so bad it is going to burst through the wall eventually. Are lease is up extremely soon and you haven't said a word about it. We also are the only people who pay over a 1000$ in this area and we don't even have the back yard. The neighborhood is trash and the rent is obnoxiously high for where we are and considering we are literally going though a pandemic it is not right. “

P.S. here is the leak , and I told him I will need to inspect it before calling a contractor , I made and attempt to inspect it and he was telling me he has no time that day .

Not to mention anytime he had any problem I send somebody to fix it right away

As far as raccoons under the roof , I do need to call the company to come and install raccoon traps .

As far as rent in the area , he is comparing to the people who lived in the neighborhood for many years. I’m not even charging him for his 3 cats.

What would be the right way to approach this ?

[Patricia Steiner]

Take the emotion out of this and think about your business.  First of all, if you have raccoons in your property, your property is being damaged - possibly severely.  If you have a leak coming into your property, damage is being incurred in multiple ways.  And, if you fail to provide an infestation-free, leak-free/mold-free environment in a rental property, you're headed nowhere good.  That's a violation of Landlord-Tenant Law in every state.

Check your state Landlord/Tenant Laws but in my state, this would constitute emergency repairs and I would let the tenant know that I was coming in with a contractor that very day.  He doesn't have the right to keep you from protecting your property.  He doesn't get to complain and threaten not to pay - and then hold you hostage either.  

I recommend scheduling "critter control" and handyman/roofer contractors for tomorrow/ASAP and notifying the tenant by email/phone/text that you will be arriving at the property with contractors, inspecting the premises, and making repairs at that specific time. You're not asking permission,you are informing him.

After all is said and done, send your tenant an email advising on how you want to be notified of repair requests. Have him send it via email with photos of the damage/repair. Let him know that you will be responsive and that any refused scheduled visit is just not an option under Landlord/Tenant Laws and  his lease.  Get control of the process and take the emotion out of it. 

Protect your investment. Manage to your lease. Respond to repair requests quickly and without being held hostage by a controlling tenant.  Give proper notice required by law and then go and do it. All of this is part of running a business.