How to Handle Delayed Repairs?

[Sara Cotner]

Hi, All! I'm down here in Texas where we all experienced a ton of damage because of storm Uri. So many external tankless water heaters busted all over the city! The plumbers are swamped and supplies are low, so there is a delay in repair time. Fortunately, our tenant had a vacation planned, so she was out of town for a week right after the storm. We were able to get a plumber to the house while she was gone, but the plumber is waiting on an order for tankless water heaters. She is coming back from vacation and the situation is still not resolved. So how do I handle this situation fairly? Do I prorate her rent for every day it's not fixed and she can use that for a hotel? Or do I prorate her rent AND pay for her hotel? And do I count the days when she was on vacation, even though she wasn't using the house? Or do I do something else? Thank you all for any insights you are able to share! I'm new to being and landlording and want to do it well. Thanks!