Tenants still not moved in.

[Leora A.]

Lease began 4/1. Tenants just texted me and said they still have not moved in fully. They’re in the middle of trying to sell their house and have only stayed at the house for 2 nights this past weekend. They were supposed to give notice when away for more than 5 days.

In the same text thread, they’ve notified me of water hammering when the toilet flushes and that the shower head leaks and with hammering.

How would you address or Handle this?

[Dave E.]

@Leora Alvarez

Personally, I really wouldn’t care if they haven’t moved in as long as they are paying rent. Seems a bit strange that they have to notify you when they leave for 5 days.

I’m assuming this is an older house. For the water hammer, shut off the main water valve to the house. Sometimes there is one by the water heater. Then open the faucets, tub, and shower to drain the water out of the lines. Also flush the toilet to make sure the water line is clear. With the faucets still open turn the main back on.

In older houses they used to put an air pocket (basically) in certain areas of the house to act as a kind of shock absorber when you turn the water on and off. The air pocket compresses a bit. Over time the air pocket can go away and fill with water therefore taking away the shock absorber. Draining the water out should reset the system so to speak.